Dipyridamole belongs to the class of medications called platelet aggregation inhibitors or antiplatelets. It is used to prevent Blood Clots that may occur after a heart valve replacement. It works by preventing certain types of blood cells, called platelets, from sticking together. It is also used for certain types of tests for the heart that examine how well blood is flowing through the heart.

Dipyridamole may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Dipyridamole may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Dipyridamole may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Dipyridamole for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Dipyridamole, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Dipyridamole without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Dipyridamole to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Dipyridamole if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended oral adult dose of dipyridamole for preventing blood clots is 100 mg 4 times daily one hour before meals. If taken with 1000 mg of Asa daily, the dose of dipyridamole can be reduced to 25 mg 4 times daily.

When used for medical tests that examine how well blood is flowing through the heart, dipyridamole is given by injection in a hospital.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Dipyridamole exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Dipyridamole at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Dipyridamole. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Dipyridamole. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal or stomach cramps
• Diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• flushing
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• chest pain
• gallstones
• increased heart rate
• Low Blood Pressure (symptoms may include dizziness or fainting)

• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• skin rash

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• signs of bleeding in the stomach (e.g., bloody, black, or tarry stools, spitting up of blood, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds)
• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (such as Hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face or throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Dipyridamole.

Intravenous solution: Each mL contains 5 mg of dipyridamole. Nonmedicinal ingredients:  tartaric acid, polyethylene glycol 600, hydrochloric acid, and water for injection.

Do not take dipyridamole if you are allergic to dipyridamole or any ingredients of the medication.

Do not give the injectable form of Dipyridamole to anyone who is in a state of shock or collapse.

There may be an interaction between dipyridamole and any of the following:

• acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
• Aliskiren
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• alpha agonists (e.g., Clonidine, methyldopa)
• Amiodarone
• anti-cancer medications (e.g., Doxorubicin, Etoposide, Topotecan, Vinblastine)
• Apixaban
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Carvedilol
• cetirizine
• ciprofloxacin (systemic)
• cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine)
• Clopidogrel
• Colchicine
• Cyclosporine
• dabigatran
• Dexamethasone
• Digoxin
• erythromycin
• estrogens (e.g., conjugated estrogen, Estradiol, ethinyl estradiol)
• “gliptin” Diabetes medications (e.g., Linagliptin, Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin)
• glucosamine
• Heparin
• herbal products that affect blood clotting (e.g., cat's claw, chamomile, fenugreek, evening primrose, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginseng, turmeric)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Hydrocortisone
• Loperamide
• low molecular weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Tinzaparin)
• Methotrexate
• multivitamin supplements
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• Ondansetron
• omega-3 fatty acids
• Paliperidone
• Pentoxifylline
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Crizotinib, Dasatinib, imatinib, Nilotinib)
• Prucalopride
• quinidine
• quinine
• Ranitidine
• rifampin
• Risperidone
• Rivaroxaban
• Romidepsin
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• "statin" anti-cholesterol medications (e.g., Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin)
• Tacrolimus
• theophyllines (with injectable form of dipyridamole; Aminophylline, Theophylline)
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tolvaptan
• vitamin E
• Warfarin

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Dipyridamole. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.