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Details for: NIMOTOP

Company: BAYER INC

DIN DIN name Active Ingredient(s) Strength Dosage Form Route of Administration
02325926NIMOTOPNIMODIPINE30 MGTABLETORAL
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Consumer Information

This information was provided by the drug’s manufacturer when this drug product was approved for sale in Canada. It is designed for consumers and care givers. It is a summary of information about the drug and will not tell you everything about the drug. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about the drug.

What the medication is used for

NIMOTOP Tablets are used for the treatment subarachnoid hemorrhage (medical term for bleeding inside the head) and help to prevent brain damage that may result from the bleeding.

What it does

Following subarachnoid hemorrhage (medical term for bleeding inside the head), the blood vessels may go into spasm. This may result in inadequate circulation in the affected areas of the brain and thus damage the nervous system. NIMOTOP Tablets are used to prevent and, if necessary, to treat such damage.

When it should not be used

Do not take NIMOTOP Tablets:

  • if you have suffered from a head injury resulting in a traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage
  • during or within one month of a heart attack
  • if you suffer from angina and notice an increase in the frequency and severity of attacks
  • if you are taking the antibiotic rifampin or the antiepileptics phenobarbital, phenytoin or carbamazepine as the effect of NIMOTOP Tablets may be reduced
  • if you are breastfeeding
  • if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to nimodipine or to any of the ingredients in this product. The ingredients are listed in the “What the nonmedicinal ingredients are” section of this leaflet
What the medicinal ingredient is

The active substance is nimodipine

What the non-medicinal ingredients are

Crospovidone, ferric oxide yellow, hypromellose, macrogol, magnesium stearate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and titanium dioxide

What dosage form it comes in

Film-coated tablets, 30 mg

Warnings and precautions

BEFORE you use NIMOTOP Tablets, talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any of the following conditions:

  • have hypotension (systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg)
  • have been told that you have cerebral edema or severely raised intracranial pressure
  • have a history of liver disease
  • have a history of heart disease
  • may be pregnant or are breastfeeding
Interactions with this medication

Drugs that may interact with NIMOTOP Tablets include:

  • drugs used for the treatment of epilepsy (eg, phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproic acid); tuberculosis (eg, rifampin) and HIV infections (eg, ritonavir)
  • antibiotics (eg, erythromycin) for infectious disease
  • antihypertensive drugs (for high blood pressure), including other calcium channel blockers
  • drugs used to treat fungal infections (eg, ketoconazole), unless they are applied only to the skin
  • antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine, nortriptyline)
  • drugs used to treat indigestion (eg, cimetidine)
  • herbal remedy St. John’s Wort (primarily used for the treatment of depressive moods)
If you are taking any of the above drugs, remind your doctor before taking NIMOTOP tablets. If necessary, a reduction in the nimodipine dose should be considered.

NIMOTOP Tablets should not be taken at the same time as grapefruit juice, or near the time of eating grapefruit. This is because grapefruit juice is known to increase the blood levels of the active ingredient, nimodipine.

This is not a complete list of possible drug interactions with NIMOTOP Tablets. Talk to your doctor for more information about drug interactions.

See also ABOUT THIS MEDICATION: When it should not be used, and SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM.
Proper use of this medication

Usual dose

For the management of neurological deficits following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), therapy with NIMOTOP Tablets should start as soon as possible or within 4 days of the diagnosis of SAH.

The recommended dosage of NIMOTOP Tablets is 60 mg (two tablets of 30 mg) administered orally every 4 hours for 21 consecutive days after diagnosis of SAH. Doses up to 90 mg every 4 hours have been used in some patients, although the safety of higher doses in severely ill patients has not been well established.

The tablets should be swallowed whole with plenty of fluid (preferably a glass of water), independently of meal times. Grapefruit juice should be avoided. It is recommended that the tablets are not taken while lying down.

Children and Adolescents

Do not give NIMOTOP Tablets to patients under 18 years of age. There is not enough information on their use in children and adolescents.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or are planning a family, tell your doctor before taking NIMOTOP Tablets. Investigations have not been carried out into the damaging effects of NIMOTOP during pregnancy. NIMOTOP should therefore only be taken during pregnancy after careful consideration of the benefits and potential risks arising from the severity of the clinical situation.

Since nimodipine (the active ingredient in NIMOTOP Tablets) may pass into breast milk, breastfeeding should be discontinued while taking this drug.

Overdose

Symptoms of acute overdosage to be anticipated are marked lowering of the blood pressure, an irregular heart beat, flushing, headache, digestive upset and nausea.

In the event of acute overdose, discontinue use of NIMOTOP Tablets immediately and contact your doctor or your regional Poison Control Centre immediately

Missed Dose

If you have forgotten to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Carry on with the remaining tablets at the normal four-hour intervals.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.

Stopped Treatment

You should always consult your doctor before deciding to interrupt or stop the course of NIMOTOP Tablet treatment (eg, on account of side effects) since NIMOTOP Tablets prevent the development of serious neurological deficits.

Side effects and what to do about them

Like all medicines, NIMOTOP can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

The most common side effects seen with NIMOTOP are allergic reaction (eg, rash), decreased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, headache, sweating, flushing, nausea.

There is a possibility that you may feel dizzy; if you are affected you should not drive or operate machinery.

Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you experience any side effects. If necessary, your doctor may reduce or stop treatment with NIMOTOP Tablets.

You should be aware that prescription medications carry some risks and that all possible risks may not be known at this stage.

Serious side effects, how often they happen and what to do about them
Symptom/ Effect Talk with your doctor or pharmacist Only if severe Talk with your doctor or pharmacist In all cases Stop taking drug and seek emergency medical treatment
Common
Low blood pressure (lightheadedness, dizziness, and/or fainting)    
Allergic reactions: difficulty breathing or swallowing, rash or hives (redness, intense itching), swelling of face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, lower legs)    
Localized swelling, swelling in your limbs    
Increased frequency and looseness in bowel movement    
Unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit    
Uncommon
Headache, pain in the neck and/or upper back    
Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)    
Anemia (exceptional weakness, paleness, dizziness, headache)    

This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking NIMOTOP Tablets, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store

NIMOTOP tablets should be stored in the original packaging between 15°C and 30°C. Protect from humidity.

Keep out of reach of children.

Medications should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications you no longer require. These measures will help to protect the environment.

Reporting side effects
Canada Vigilance Program

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to the Canada Vigilance Program by one of the following 3 ways:
Report online: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
Call toll-free at: 1-866-234-2345
Complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and:
Fax toll-free to: 1-866-678-6789, or
Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program
Health Canada
Postal Locator 0701E
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
Postage paid labels, Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and the adverse reaction reporting guidelines are available on the MedEffect™ Canada website at: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect.

NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Bayer Inc.

You can report any suspected adverse reactions associated with the use of health products to Bayer Inc. by one of the following 3 ways:
Toll-free telephone: 1-800-265-7382
Email: canada.medinfo@bayer.com
Regular Mail: Bayer Inc.
77 Belfield Road
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 1G6
Canada
NOTE: Should you require information related to the management of side effects, contact your health professional. Bayer Inc. does not provide medical advice.
More information

This document plus the full Product Monograph, prepared for health professionals, can be found at: http://www.bayer.ca or by contacting the sponsor, Bayer Inc., at: 1-800-265-7382.

This leaflet was prepared by:
Bayer Inc.
77 Belfield Road
Toronto, Ontario
M9W 1G6
Canada

Date of preparation: November 1, 2011
© 2011, Bayer Inc.
® NIMOTOP is a trademark of Bayer AG, used under license by Bayer Inc.

Date modified: