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Dipyridamole

About dipyridamole

Dipyridamole is an antiplatelet medicine. It prevents a type of blood cell (platelets) sticking together and forming a dangerous blood clot.

Taking dipyridamole helps to prevent blood clots if you have an increased risk of having them. Your risk is higher if you have or have had:

  • a stroke or "mini-stroke" (transient ischaemic attack or TIA)
  • an operation on your heart to replace your heart valves

Dipyridamole is only available on prescription.

It comes as tablets and slow-release (called "modified-release") capsules. It is also available as a liquid if you find it difficult to swallow tablets or capsules.

Who can and cannot take dipyridamole

Dipyridamole can be taken by adults aged 18 years and over to prevent strokes and after heart valve replacement surgery.

It's sometimes prescribed for children to treat a rare condition called Kawasaki disease or prevent blood clots after heart surgery.

Dipyridamole is not suitable for some people. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to dipyridamole or any other medicine
  • have angina or other heart problems, or have had a recent heart attack
  • have a muscle weakening disease called myasthenia gravis
  • have any bleeding disorders, such as haemophilia or von Willebrand disease
  • have low blood pressure
  • have migraines
  • are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding

How and when to take dipyridamole

How much dipyridamole you take depends on what form you have been prescribed. Always follow your doctor's instructions.

Dosage

The usual dose for slow-release capsules is 200mg, taken twice a day.

The usual dose for tablets and liquid is 300mg to 600mg, taken 3 or 4 times a day.

If the doctor prescribes it for your child, they usually need to take it 2 or 3 times a day. The doctor will use your child's weight to work out the right dose.

How to take slow-release capsules

These release the medicine slowly in your body over several hours. You will usually take 1 capsule in the morning and 1 capsule in the evening.

Take your capsules with or shortly after a meal. Swallow them whole with a drink of water. Do not crush or chew them.

Capsules are not prescribed for children.

How to take tablets or liquid

Your doctor will tell you whether to take your dose 3 or 4 times a day. Take it before meals at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.

Dipyridamole liquid comes with a syringe or a spoon to help you or your child take the right amount. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon because it will not give you the right amount.

What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take dipyridamole, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take the next one at the usual time.

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

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicines.

What if I take too much?

Taking 1 or 2 extra doses is unlikely to harm you. However, the amount of dipyridamole that can lead to overdose is different from person to person.

you take too much dipyridamole and you have any symptoms including:

  • a faster heart rate or pain in your chest – these can be signs of a heart problem
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded, especially when you stand up or sit up quickly
  • shortness of breath, wheezing and tightening of the chest

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

Call 111 if you're asking about a child under the age of 5 years.

If you need to go to hospital, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the dipyridamole packet or leaflet inside it plus any remaining medicine with you.

Side effects

Like all medicines, dipyridamole can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • feeling sick
  • diarrhoea and being sick
  • headaches
  • feeling dizzy
  • feeling hot and flushed

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

  • you have pain in your chest, shortness of breath, or a fast heartbeat

In rare cases, dipyridamole can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

These are not all the side effects of dipyridamole. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

How to cope with side effects of dipyridamole

What to do about:

  • feeling sick – try taking your tablets with or after a meal or snack. It may also help if you do not eat rich or spicy food.
  • diarrhoea and being sick – drink plenty of water in small, frequent sips. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea or vomiting without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
  • headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Talk to your doctor if the headaches are severe or last longer than a week.
  • feeling dizzy – if dipyridamole makes you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit up for a while until you feel better. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery if you feel dizzy or a bit shaky.
  • feeling hot and flushed – try cutting down on coffee, tea and alcohol. It might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks. The flushing should go away after a few days. If it does not, or if it's causing you problems, contact your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Dipyridamole is not often used in pregnancy. This is because there is little information about how the medicine may affect your baby. However, your doctor may advise you to take it if they think the benefits of taking the medicine outweigh any risks.

If you're trying to get pregnant or you are already pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits and possible harms of taking dipyridamole. These will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are and the reason you need to take it. There may be other medicines that are more suitable for you while you're pregnant.

Dipyridamole and breastfeeding

Only take dipyridamole while breastfeeding if your doctor advises you to.

It's not known how much dipyridamole gets into breast milk, but it's likely to be a small amount.

If your doctor says it is OK for you to keep taking dipyridamole, then monitor your baby for any possible side effects, such as bruises or bleeding easily. However, it's unlikely that dipyridamole will cause any side effects in your baby.

Talk to your doctor, midwife, or health visitor if you have any concerns about your baby while you are breastfeeding.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way dipyridamole works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking these medicines before you start taking dipyridamole:

  • other medicines to prevent blood clots, such as low-dose aspirin, clopidogrel, ticagrelor, warfarin, dabigatran, apixaban or rivaroxaban
  • medicines for high blood pressure, such as bisoprolol, ramipril or furosemide
  • indigestion medicines, such as ranitidine, proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole, or antacids that contain magnesium or aluminium
  • digoxin for heart problems
  • medicines used to treat myasthenia gravis

Taking dipyridamole with everyday painkillers

You can take paracetamol together with dipyridamole if you need a painkiller.

Do not take aspirin for pain relief (300mg tablets) or ibuprofen while you're taking dipyridamole unless a doctor has said it's OK to. They increase the risk of bleeding.

To prevent blood clots, your doctor may prescribe daily low-dose aspirin (75mg tablets) to take together with dipyridamole.

Taking dipyridamole with indigestion medicines

Some indigestion medicines, such as omeprazole, may reduce the effect of dipyridamole. This is important if you're taking dipyridamole as tablets or liquid, but it's not a problem if you're taking capsules.

If you need to take indigestion medicines, do not take them at the same time of day as dipyridamole tablets or liquid. Take them 2 to 3 hours before or after your dose of dipyridamole.

Mixing dipyridamole with herbal remedies and supplements

There might be a problem with taking some herbal remedies and supplements with dipyridamole, especially ones that can affect your blood, such as ginkgo.

Related links

Stroke — Link to Related Condition

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) — Link to Related Condition

HealthUnlocked: dipyridamole forum — Link to Useful Resource

British Heart Foundation: charity — Link to Useful Resource

Stroke Association: charity — Link to Useful Resource

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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55 public posts

dipyridamole

anyone currently using successfully? Alone without other meds? Any significant side effects? Is it an easy med to get prescription for ? is it a world wide med.? Thank you. Trying to help my husband as his kratom is no longer working well.
anyone currently using successfully? Alone without other meds? Any significant side effects? Is it an easy med to get prescription for ? is it a world wide med.? Thank you. Trying to help my husband as his kratom is no longer working well.
RCHD profile image
RCHD
in Restless Legs Syndrome
9 days ago

Alternative and adjunct medications for RLS

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9983500/ Keywords: clonidine, dipyridamole, perampanel, amantadine, ketamine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate, valproic acid, levetiracetam, steroids, cannabis, bupropion
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9983500/ Keywords: clonidine, dipyridamole, perampanel, amantadine, ketamine, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, topiramate, valproic acid, levetiracetam, steroids, cannabis, bupropion
Amrob profile image
Amrob
in Restless Legs Syndrome
21 days ago

Anyone taking dipyridamole?

So I am wondering if anyone on this forum has managed to get a prescription for dipyridamole and, if so, how are you doing?
So I am wondering if anyone on this forum has managed to get a prescription for dipyridamole and, if so, how are you doing?
Doctorplacebo profile image
Doctorplacebo
in Restless Legs Syndrome
6 months ago
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Dipyridamole update ** Dr. Sergi Ferré responded

I have been using Dipyridamole alone for my RLS for about 4 months. Initially the response was amazing, I was able to lay still for the first time in years. I quickly stopped the pregabalin I had been taking for years. This was working, I quickly went up to 300mg Dipyridamole.
I have been using Dipyridamole alone for my RLS for about 4 months. Initially the response was amazing, I was able to lay still for the first time in years. I quickly stopped the pregabalin I had been taking for years. This was working, I quickly went up to 300mg Dipyridamole.
WideBody profile image
WideBody
in Restless Legs Syndrome
10 months ago

Drug costs (Dipyridamole)

Does anyone know how to get Dipyridamole that is less expensive? For the record I take 4 * 75mg (300mg) a night.
Does anyone know how to get Dipyridamole that is less expensive? For the record I take 4 * 75mg (300mg) a night.
WideBody profile image
WideBody
in Restless Legs Syndrome
10 months ago

Dipyridamole To Reduce Platelet Formation, inhibit Fibrin Coating

Has anyone taken the above with the hope of reducing/inhibiting metastasis, and tumor formation? This is an old drug used for at risk stroke and heart attack patients. It is also an anti-inflammatory (COX-2 path) . It's primary purpose is to curtail the formation of platelets and platelet adhesion
Has anyone taken the above with the hope of reducing/inhibiting metastasis, and tumor formation? This is an old drug used for at risk stroke and heart attack patients. It is also an anti-inflammatory (COX-2 path) . It's primary purpose is to curtail the formation of platelets and platelet adhesion
Researchshortcut profile image
Researchshortcut
in Advanced Prostate Cancer
8 months ago

Dipyridamole update.

I talked to the doctors and Dipyridamole is back on the menu, soon I hope.
I talked to the doctors and Dipyridamole is back on the menu, soon I hope.
WideBody profile image
WideBody
in Restless Legs Syndrome
4 months ago

Keep on posting - Thank you

Having read a few replies this morning from people who are coming out of augmentation or trying new things like dipyridamole I’d just like to thank all those who tirelessly respond to the pleas for help and advice, and those who come back to this group to report their experiences and share their success
Having read a few replies this morning from people who are coming out of augmentation or trying new things like dipyridamole I’d just like to thank all those who tirelessly respond to the pleas for help and advice, and those who come back to this group to report their experiences and share their success
Munroist profile image
Munroist
in Restless Legs Syndrome
11 months ago

Dipyridamole update

Especially since I have no desire to stop taking Dipyridamole. BTW, I take 300mg (4 * 75mg) all at once about 90 minutes before bed. I enjoy not taking pregablin. I was taking 300mg, now down to 50mg. I don't know how to say this, but Dipyridamole obliterates my RLS.
Especially since I have no desire to stop taking Dipyridamole. BTW, I take 300mg (4 * 75mg) all at once about 90 minutes before bed. I enjoy not taking pregablin. I was taking 300mg, now down to 50mg. I don't know how to say this, but Dipyridamole obliterates my RLS.
WideBody profile image
WideBody
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

RLS SPECIALISTS

My last appointment was like ok we tried everything let’s try dipyridamole which did nothing. We tried Gabapentin lyrica horizant all the stuff a regular neuro would have prescribed. Why do I have this 24/6 why couldn’t I just get nighttime RLS take some weed gummies pass out.
My last appointment was like ok we tried everything let’s try dipyridamole which did nothing. We tried Gabapentin lyrica horizant all the stuff a regular neuro would have prescribed. Why do I have this 24/6 why couldn’t I just get nighttime RLS take some weed gummies pass out.
RC723 profile image
RC723
in Restless Legs Syndrome
9 months ago

Dipyridamole, Adenosine and RLS (Oh My)

“Dipyridamole is proposed to increase coronary blood flow (CBF) by inhibition of adenosine uptake into cells, resulting in an increase in interstitial fluid (ISF) adenosine and an adenosine-mediated vasodilation.” Dipyridamole is also and ENT1 inhibitor.
“Dipyridamole is proposed to increase coronary blood flow (CBF) by inhibition of adenosine uptake into cells, resulting in an increase in interstitial fluid (ISF) adenosine and an adenosine-mediated vasodilation.” Dipyridamole is also and ENT1 inhibitor.
WideBody profile image
WideBody
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

Dipyridamole update

As for Dipyridamole, the biggest side effects are the dreams I have been having. I rarely had dreams before and certainly could not remember them if I did. Now they seem to be a nightly occurrence. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.
As for Dipyridamole, the biggest side effects are the dreams I have been having. I rarely had dreams before and certainly could not remember them if I did. Now they seem to be a nightly occurrence. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.
WideBody profile image
WideBody
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

Dipyridamole

Has anyone tried dipyridamole for their rls and at what dose. Was it successful?
Has anyone tried dipyridamole for their rls and at what dose. Was it successful?
Memmy profile image
Memmy
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

Dipyridamole for RLS

Has anyone tried the anti platelet medication, dipyridamole for the rls? Dipyridamole is supposed to reduce motor and sensory symptoms of RLS and improve sleep duration. It supposed to have therapeutic effect on adenosinergic pathways in the pathophysiology of rls. Thanks advance for your reply.
Has anyone tried the anti platelet medication, dipyridamole for the rls? Dipyridamole is supposed to reduce motor and sensory symptoms of RLS and improve sleep duration. It supposed to have therapeutic effect on adenosinergic pathways in the pathophysiology of rls. Thanks advance for your reply.
halperinchen profile image
halperinchen
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

The key role of adenosine in restless legs syndrome.

The mean effective dose of dipyridamole was 217.8 ± 33.1 mg/d. Sleep variables improved. The mean periodic leg movement index at the end of treatment with dipyridamole was 8.2 ± 3.5 versus 28.1 ± 6.7 under placebo.
The mean effective dose of dipyridamole was 217.8 ± 33.1 mg/d. Sleep variables improved. The mean periodic leg movement index at the end of treatment with dipyridamole was 8.2 ± 3.5 versus 28.1 ± 6.7 under placebo.
Arjiji profile image
Arjiji
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

Iron + magnesium - bothered

- What's the word on dipyridamole? Should I look into that instead of gabapentin/pregabalin? *Note - my reluctance to resume gabapentin is because of side effects - loss of daytime focus, especially. I am a woodworker hobbyist.
- What's the word on dipyridamole? Should I look into that instead of gabapentin/pregabalin? *Note - my reluctance to resume gabapentin is because of side effects - loss of daytime focus, especially. I am a woodworker hobbyist.
PoorRichard profile image
PoorRichard
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

Dipyridamole

Hi does anyone have any experience using this drug to help with their RLS symptoms? If so, how and when? what dose? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945718300492
Hi does anyone have any experience using this drug to help with their RLS symptoms? If so, how and when? what dose? https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1389945718300492
Fatniss profile image
Fatniss
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

Myocardial Profusion Scan

The actual stress test part involved a cannula and the drug Dipyridamole being used to increase blood flow. What I describe below lasts 2 minutes. It’s such a short period of time. And if it helps get a firm diagnosis, well good.
The actual stress test part involved a cannula and the drug Dipyridamole being used to increase blood flow. What I describe below lasts 2 minutes. It’s such a short period of time. And if it helps get a firm diagnosis, well good.
Hidden profile image
Hidden
in British Heart Foundation
1 year ago

Ellfindoe and LotteM please ....

A more recent development is the experimental use of dipyridamole, which increases adenosine.”
A more recent development is the experimental use of dipyridamole, which increases adenosine.”
67Waterman profile image
67Waterman
in Restless Legs Syndrome
1 year ago

Adenosine and Diprydamole

One such drug is already available clinically: dipyridamole, an antiplatelet drug that protects against stroke and heart attack.
One such drug is already available clinically: dipyridamole, an antiplatelet drug that protects against stroke and heart attack.
welschrispy profile image
welschrispy
in Restless Legs Syndrome
2 years ago
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