Dipyridamole- Diagnostic (Systemic)
   
Dipyridamole- Diagnostic (Systemic)
US Brand Names
• Persantine
Canadian Brand Names
• Apo-Dipyridamole FC
• Apo-Dipyridamole SC
• Novo-Dipiradol
• Persantine
Description
Dipyridamole (dye-peer-ID-a-mole) is used as part of a medical test that shows how well blood is flowing to your heart. The test can show your doctor whether any of the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart are blocked or in danger of becoming blocked. Your doctor can then decide on the best treatment for you. Exercise (for example, walking on a treadmill) is usually used to give your doctor this information. Dipyridamole is used instead of exercise for people who are not able to exercise at all, or cannot exercise hard enough.
The dose of dipyridamole that is used to test how well blood is flowing to your heart will be different for different patients and depends on your body weight.
For information on other uses of dipyridamole, seeDipyridamole-Therapeutic (Systemic).
Dipyridamole is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:
Oral
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Before Having This Test
In deciding to use a diagnostic test, any risks of the test must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. Also, test results may be affected by other things. For dipyridamole, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to dipyridamole. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy
Although studies have not been done in pregnant women, dipyridamole has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems in humans. However, studies in animals have shown that dipyridamole decreased the number of successful pregnancies in female rats given many times the maximum human dose.
Breast-feeding
Although dipyridamole passes into breast milk, it has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children
This medicine has been tested only in adults and in children older than 12 years of age. There is no specific information comparing use of dipyridamole in children younger than 12 years of age with use in other age groups.
Older adults
Dipyridamole for diagnostic use has been tested in older people. It has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.
Other medicines
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Before you receive dipyridamole, it is especially important that your doctor knows if you are taking any of the following:
• Aminophylline (e.g., Phyllocontin) or
• Caffeine (e.g., NoDoz) or
• Dyphylline (e.g., Lufyllin) or
• Oxtriphylline (e.g., Choledyl) or
• Theophylline (e.g., Theo-Dur)-These medicines will interfere with the results of this test. Caffeine should not be taken for 8 to 12 hours before the test. It is present in many medicines (for example, stay-awake products, pain relievers, and medicines for relieving migraine headaches) and foods or beverages (for example, coffee, tea, colas or other soft drinks, cocoa, and chocolate). If you are not sure whether any medicine you are taking contains caffeine, check with your pharmacist
The other medicines listed here are used to treat asthma or other lung or breathing problems. They should not be taken for about 36 hours before the test. However, do not stop taking the medicine on your own . Instead, at least 3 or 4 days before the test, tell the doctor in charge of giving the test that you are taking the medicine. He or she can call the doctor who ordered the medicine for you, and together they will decide whether you should stop taking the medicine for a while.
• Aspirin or
• Carbenicillin by injection (e.g., Geopen) or
• Cefamandole (e.g., Mandol) or
• Cefoperazone (e.g., Cefobid) or
• Cefotetan (e.g., Cefotan) or
• Divalproex (e.g., Depakote) or
• Heparin or
• Inflammation or pain medicine, except narcotics, or
• Pentoxifylline (e.g., Trental) or
• Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
• Sulfinpyrazone (e.g., Anturane) or
• Ticarcillin (e.g., Ticar) or
• Ticlopidine (e.g., Ticlid) or
• Valproic acid (e.g., Depakene)-The chance of bleeding may be increased
Other medical problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of dipyridamole. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
• Asthma or history of or
• Chest pain-The chance of side effects may be increased
• Low blood pressure-Large amounts of dipyridamole can make your condition worse
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
While you are receiving dipyridamole, and for a while after you have received it, your doctor will closely follow its effects. If necessary, your doctor can give you a medicine that will stop any unwanted effects. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any of the following side effects :
More common
Chest pain.
Less common or rare
Decreased sensitivity to touch; dizziness, sweating, or sudden, severe headache; headache (severe and throbbing); fast breathing; fast heartbeat; muscle stiffness; sharp pain in either or both sides of the chest; shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, or wheezing; skin rash or itching.
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away in a little while. However, check with your doctor if they continue or are bothersome:
More common
Abdominal or stomach cramps; diarrhea; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache.
Less common
Flushing; nausea or vomiting; weakness.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
May 20, 1999 
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