Dipyridamole causes an accumulation of adenosine, adenine nucleotides and cAMP by inhibiting the activity of adenosine deaminase and phosphodiesterase thus inhibiting platelet aggregation and may cause vasodilation.

Dipyridamole is indicated in Prophylaxis of thromboembolism following cardiac valve replacement, Secondary prophylaxis of stroke or transient ischaemic attack

Prophylaxis of thromboembolism following cardiac valve replacement:

• Adult: 300-600 mg/day in divided doses with an oral anticoagulant.
• Child: 5 mg/kg/day in divided doses.

Secondary prophylaxis of stroke or transient ischaemic attack:

• Adult: As modified-release preparation: 200 mg bid, with or without aspirin.

Administration

Should be taken on an empty stomach. Take 1 hr before meals. May be taken with meals to reduce GI discomfort.

Hypersensitivity. Peptic ulcer.

GI disturbances, headache, dizziness, faintness, facial flushing, skin rash, liver dysfunction, angina. Large doses may lower BP.

Overdose Effects

Symptoms: warm feeling, flushes, sweating, restlessness, weakness, dizziness, hypotension and tachycardia.

Management: treatment is symptomatic. Empty stomach by gastric lavage. Haemodialysis unlikely to be useful.

In patients with rapidly worsening angina, subvalvular aortic stenosis, haemodynamic instability associated with recent MI or coagulation disorders esp when given IV during myocardial imaging. Hypotension, unstable angina, aortic stenosis. Pregnancy and lactation. Safety and efficacy are not established in childn < 12 yrs.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Category B. Either animal-reproduction studies have not demonstrated a fetal risk but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women or animal-reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect (other than a decrease in fertility) that was not confirmed in controlled studies in women in the 1st trimester (and there is no evidence of a risk in later trimesters).