Common uses

Evaluating coronary artery disease in patients who cannot exercise adequately before thallium imaging (cardiac blood flow scan).
Dipyridamole is a coronary vasodilator. It works by increasing blood flow to the heart, which mimics an exercise test. It is followed by the thallium test.

Before using

Before taking dipyridamole, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other heart problems (e.g., severe coronary artery disease, recent heart attack, low blood pressure), liver disease.
This drug may make you dizzy. Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Directions

Persantine must be taken exactly as your doctor prescribes, at regularly scheduled times.
It is best to take Persantine on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water. However, if this upsets your stomach, you can take the drug with food or milk.
Do not change from one brand of dipyridamole to another without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Products manufactured by different companies may not be equally effective.
-If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is within 4 hours of your next scheduled dose, skip the dose you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take 2 doses at the same time.
-Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature. Protect from excessive heat.

Cautions

Use this medication carefully if you have low blood pressure.
Persantine has been known to cause liver problems, including liver failure. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following signs of liver trouble: nausea, fatigue, drowsiness, itching, yellowish skin, flu-like symptoms, and pain in the upper right abdomen.

Possible side effects

Dizziness, stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and flushing may occur, particularly at first as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: weakness, fainting, stomach pain, pounding/rapid heartbeat, yellowing of eyes/skin, dark urine, unusual bleeding/bruising.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, confusion, severe headache, slurred speech, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take too much

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of Persantine, seek medical attention immediately.
• Symptoms of Persantine overdose may include:
Dizziness, feeling of warmth, flushing, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, sweating weakness

Additional information

The effects of Persantine during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. This drug appears in breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment with this medication is finished.

Drug interactions

There may be an interaction between dipyridamole and any of the following:
• aminophylline (with injectable form)
• blood pressure-lowering medications
• blood thinners (e.g., warfarin, heparin)
• cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine)
• theophylline(with injectable form)
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 this medication. 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.