Nimodipine: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker used mainly to improve neurological outcome after bleeding around the brain caused by a ruptured intracranial berry aneurysm. It helps reduce the incidence and severity of blood-flow-related neurological problems in this emergency setting. Nimodipine requires a prescription in the United Kingdom and is available as a generic medicine.

Nimodipine is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium helps control how muscle cells contract, including the muscle in blood vessel walls. By blocking calcium entry into these cells, nimodipine can relax blood vessels and reduce tightening of the vessels supplying the brain.

After subarachnoid haemorrhage, this action may help reduce blood-flow-related neurological problems. The medicine also lowers blood pressure in some people because relaxed blood vessels offer less resistance to blood flow. Its effects can be stronger in people with severely disturbed liver function because the body may process less of the medicine.

Nimodipine is indicated after subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a ruptured intracranial berry aneurysm. This is bleeding into the space around the brain. The medicine is used regardless of the person’s neurological condition after the bleeding.

Its purpose is to improve neurological outcome by reducing the incidence and severity of ischaemic deficits, which are problems caused by reduced blood flow to brain tissue. This treatment is used in a specialist medical setting after a serious brain haemorrhage. It is not described as a general treatment for ordinary headaches, high blood pressure, or other everyday symptoms.

The label lists 30 mg soft gelatin capsules for oral use, as well as oral solutions of 30 mg/5 mL, 60 mg/10 mL, and 60 mg/20 mL. The usual starting dose is 60 mg every 4 hours for 21 consecutive days for subarachnoid haemorrhage. The label lists treatment starting as soon as possible within 96 hours of the onset of subarachnoid haemorrhage.

The label lists swallowing capsules whole with a little liquid, preferably not less than one hour before or two hours after meals. The label lists one 30 mg capsule every 4 hours for people with severely disturbed liver function, particularly liver cirrhosis, with close monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate.

The label lists oral administration only. Nimodipine must not be administered intravenously or by another parenteral route.

The capsules should remain in the manufacturer’s original package. Store at 20° to 25°C and protect from light and freezing. Keep the medicine as directed on the label and away from children.

A missed dose can affect the regular blood-level pattern needed during treatment after subarachnoid haemorrhage. General pharmacy practice is to seek advice from the treating medical team rather than doubling or changing doses independently.

The label describes a scheduled regimen every 4 hours, so the clinical team should decide how a missed dose is handled. Urgent advice is needed if too much medicine was given or if symptoms such as marked dizziness, fainting, or very low blood pressure occur.

There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women to directly assess the effect on human fetuses. Nimodipine caused harmful developmental effects in some animal studies.

The label states that nimodipine should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Pregnancy should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist before treatment.