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Nimodipine allegedly linked to Heart Attack and Death
August 3, 2010: The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminded healthcare professionals that oral nimodipine capsules should be given only by mouth or through a feeding or nasogastric tube and should never be given by intravenous administration. Nimodipine is a medication intended to be given in a critical care setting to treat neurologic complications from subarachnoid hemorrhage (ruptured blood vessels in the brain) and is only available as a capsule. Intravenous injection of nimodipine can result in death, cardiac arrest, severe falls in blood pressure, and other heart-related complications.
In 2006, the FDA added a Boxed Warning and made other revisions to the prescribing information to warn against intravenous use of nimodipine. The prescribing information also provides clear instructions on how to remove the liquid contents from the capsules for nasogastric tube administration in patients who are unable to swallow. The instructions recommend that the syringe used for withdrawal of capsule contents be labeled with "Not for IV Use." FDA continues to receive reports of intravenous nimodipine use, with serious, sometimes fatal, consequences. Nimodipine (nimotop) is an oral medication used to reduce the symptoms and severity of bleeding in patients who have had a brain hemorrhage. When Nimodipine is administered intravenously or through other methods, there is an increased risk of heart failure and death.
Since this drug is used on patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), many of them cannot swallow the capsule so medical personnels turn to other methods to administer the drug. If a patient cannot swallow the capsule, medical professionals are advised to extract the liquid by syringe and administer it via a feeding tube.
Nimodipine was originally designed as a treatment for high blood pressure. Other side effects of Nimodipine include headache, heartburn, decreased or increased blood pressure, and unusual bruising. Nimodipine, like many drugs, may cause allergic reactions.
In 2006, the FDA added a Boxed Warning and made other revisions to the prescribing information to warn against intravenous use of nimodipine. The prescribing information also provides clear instructions on how to remove the liquid contents from the capsules for nasogastric tube administration in patients who are unable to swallow. The instructions recommend that the syringe used for withdrawal of capsule contents be labeled with "Not for IV Use." FDA continues to receive reports of intravenous nimodipine use, with serious, sometimes fatal, consequences. Nimodipine (nimotop) is an oral medication used to reduce the symptoms and severity of bleeding in patients who have had a brain hemorrhage. When Nimodipine is administered intravenously or through other methods, there is an increased risk of heart failure and death.
Since this drug is used on patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), many of them cannot swallow the capsule so medical personnels turn to other methods to administer the drug. If a patient cannot swallow the capsule, medical professionals are advised to extract the liquid by syringe and administer it via a feeding tube.
Nimodipine was originally designed as a treatment for high blood pressure. Other side effects of Nimodipine include headache, heartburn, decreased or increased blood pressure, and unusual bruising. Nimodipine, like many drugs, may cause allergic reactions.
Nimodpine in the News
The FDA announces a label change for the Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) drug, Nimodipine. [FDA]Register your Nimodpine Complaint
If you or a loved one was administered Nimodipine in the hospital through non-oral methods and suffered severe side effects, you may qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action lawsuit. Please click on the link below to submit your story.Last updated on
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