Dipyridamole is a medication to prevent blood clots from forming after heart valve replacement surgery. Blood clots that block blood vessels can cause a stroke, pulmonary embolism, or heart attack.
Dipyridamole belongs to the antiplatelet group. This drug works by preventing blood platelets or platelets from sticking together and forming blood clots. In addition, this drug also has the effect of dilating blood vessels (vasodilation).
This drug can also be used as an adjunct or adjuvant of thallium 201 to assist the process of cardiac radiology examination.
Dipyridamole trademark: Aggrenox, Persantin, Vasocor
What is Dipyridamole
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antiplatelet |
| Benefit | Prevents the formation of blood clots and helps radiological examination of the heart |
| Used by | Mature |
| Dipyridamole for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Dipyridamole can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Film-coated tablets, slow-release caplets (captabs) and injectables |
Precautions Before Using Dipyridamole
Dipyridamole should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. There are several things that must be considered before using this drug, including:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Dipyridamole should not be given to patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had low blood pressure (hypotension), migraines, myasthenia gravis, angina, coronary heart disease, liver disease, or a blood clotting disorder, such as thrombocytopenia, hemophilia, or von Willebrand's disease.
- Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking dipyridamole if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and supplements.
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness while you are taking dipyridamole, as this medicine can cause dizziness.
- See your doctor right away if you experience an allergic drug reaction, serious side effect, or overdose after using dipyridamole.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Dipyridamole
The dose of dipyridamole is determined based on the age of the patient and the form of the drug. The following are the dosages of dipyridamole for adults based on the form of the drug:
Drug form: Tablet
Condition: Prevention of blood clots (thromboembolism) after heart valve replacement surgery
- The dose is 300–600 mg per day divided into 3-4 consumption schedules, given with anticoagulant drugs
Drug form: Slow release caplet
Condition: Prevention of ischemic stroke or prevention of minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- The dose is 200 mg, 2 times a day.
In addition, dypiridamole can also be used to assist the process of cardiac radiology, namely imaging to see blood flow in the heart. This drug will be used as an adjunct or adjuvant of thallium-201 at a dose of 0.142 mg/kgBW per minute, given by infusion over 4 minutes.
MethodUsing Dipyridamole Correctly
Injectable dipyridamole will be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. Always follow your doctor's advice before, during and after treatment with dipyridamole.
Follow the doctor's advice and read the instructions on the medicine package before taking dipyridamole in tablet or caplet form. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor.
Dipyridamole should be taken on an empty stomach, ie 1 hour before meals. However, you can also take the drug with food if it causes stomach discomfort.
Swallow the medicine whole with the help of a glass of water. Do not chew or crush the medicine. Take medication regularly so that the effectiveness of the drug is maximized. Do not stop taking the drug when your condition improves, except on doctor's orders.
If you need to take an antacid while taking dipyridamole, take the antacid 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking dipyridamole.
If you forget to take dipyridamole, take it immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. When it is close, ignore and do not double the dose.
Store dipyridamole in a closed container in a dry and cool place. Keep the medicine away from direct sunlight and keep the medicine out of reach of children.
Interactions of Dipyridamole with Other Drugs
There are several drug interaction effects that can occur when dipyridamole is used with other drugs, namely:
- Decreased effect of fludarabine therapy
- Decreased absorption of dipyridamole when used with antacids
- Increased levels of adenosine in the blood
- Enhanced effect of anticoagulant drugs or other antiplatelet drugs
- Increased blood pressure-lowering (hypotensive) effect of antihypertensive drugs
- Increased risk of worsening of myasthenia gravis when used with cholinesterase inhibitors
- Increased risk of not dilating blood vessels during cardiac radiological examination if used with theophylline, caffeine, or xanthine-derived drugs, such as aminophylline
Dipyridamole Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that can arise after using dipyridamole are:
- Dizziness or headache
- Throw up
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
- Hot sensation
- A feeling of warmth and warmth in the neck, face, or chest (flush)
Check with your doctor if these side effects don't get better or get worse. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug or serious side effects, such as:
- Severe stomach pain, jaundice, or dark urine
- Chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat,
- Severe headache, blurred vision, confusion, slurred speech, or weakness on one side of the body
- Easy bruising
- Faint
