Dipyridamole

Introduction

Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Updated on September 15, 2023

Dipyridamole (dye peer ID a mole) is a generic medication prescribed to help prevent blood clots after heart valve replacement surgery. It’s also used to aid in stress tests* in certain situations. Dipyridamole belongs to a group of drugs called antiplatelet drugs.

These approved uses differ based on the form of dipyridamole your doctor prescribes.

* Doctors use stress tests to check for coronary artery disease or other heart problems.

Common questions about dipyridamole

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about dipyridamole.

Are there any brand names available for dipyridamole?

Yes. The brand-name version of dipyridamole is Persantine. It comes as an oral tablet.

Dipyridamole is a generic drug. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generic drugs are believed to be as effective and safe as brand-name drugs. And generic drugs usually cost less compared with brand-name drugs.

If you have questions about brand-name versus generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What is dipyridamole’s mechanism of action? How does the drug work?

To help prevent blood clots after heart valve replacement surgery, dipyridamole oral tablet works by keeping platelets (a certain type of blood cell) from clumping together to form a clot. For this purpose, dipyridamole oral tablet starts working 1–2 hours after taking a dose.

To aid in stress tests, dipyridamole injection is given intravenously as an infusion (an injection given into a vein over time). The drug works by relaxing and dilating (widening) certain blood vessels. For this purpose, dipyridamole intravenous (IV) injection starts working within 6.5 minutes after a dose is given.

Dipyridamole simulates the effects of exercise by increasing the heart muscle’s need for oxygen. This “stress” on the heart can show areas of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood. This may be due to blockages in the coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle).

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is dipyridamole similar to clopidogrel?

In some ways, yes. Dipyridamole and clopidogrel (Plavix) are both antiplatelet drugs. They are both prescribed to help prevent blood clots. Both are available as oral tablets.

These oral tablets also differ in some ways, such as their uses and dosages. For example, dipyridamole oral tablet is prescribed to help prevent blood clots after heart valve replacement surgery, along with warfarin. (Warfarin is an anticoagulant [blood thinner] drug.) In contrast, clopidogrel may be prescribed to help prevent blood clots in people who have peripheral artery disease or who recently had a stroke or heart attack.

Dipyridamole oral tablet is usually prescribed to be taken four times daily. Clopidogrel, on the other hand, is usually prescribed to be taken once daily.

If you have questions about clopidogrel versus dipyridamole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Side effects of dipyridamole

Dipyridamole may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of dipyridamole and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about dipyridamole’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for dipyridamole listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of dipyridamole are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of dipyridamole you’re prescribed.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about dipyridamole’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for dipyridamole listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Dipyridamole oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• dizziness
• digestive side effects
• headache
• rash
• mild allergic reaction*

Dipyridamole injection’s mild side effects include:

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for dipyridamole” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of dipyridamole are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of dipyridamole you’re prescribed.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about dipyridamole’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for dipyridamole listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, dipyridamole’s serious side effects include:

• very low blood pressure
• chest pain
• increases in liver enzymes, which can be a sign of liver problems
• serious heart problems, such as heart attack or arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)*
• bronchospasm (sudden tightening of your airways), which may cause trouble breathing*
• abnormal heart rhythm, causing the heart to beat too fast*
• severe allergic reaction†

* This side effect has been reported with the intravenous (IV) form of dipyridamole.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for dipyridamole” section.

Uses of dipyridamole

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as dipyridamole for certain conditions. Approved uses for dipyridamole are described below. These uses differ based on the form of dipyridamole prescribed.

Use to help prevent blood clots

Doctors may prescribe dipyridamole oral tablet to help prevent blood clots after heart valve replacement surgery. It’s prescribed for this purpose in children ages 12 years and older and adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

After you have surgery to replace a heart valve, you have an increased risk of blood clots. Symptoms of blood clots include warmth, pain, or swelling in an arm or leg, or trouble breathing.

Dipyridamole is prescribed together with warfarin, an anticoagulant (blood thinner) drug, for helping to prevent blood clots.

Use as an aid during myocardial perfusion imaging

Doctors may prescribe dipyridamole injection given by intravenous (IV) infusion* to aid in having a certain medical test. It’s prescribed for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

Specifically, the drug is given as part of thallium myocardial perfusion imaging tests in people who aren’t able to walk or run on a treadmill. These tests are commonly called “stress tests.”† Dipyridamole IV injection is given to simulate the effects of exercise on the heart. This “stress” on the heart can show areas of the heart that may not be receiving enough blood. This test can help doctors identify or assess heart problems.

* An IV infusion is an injection given into your vein over time.
† Doctors use stress tests to check for coronary artery disease or other heart problems.

Interactions and warnings for dipyridamole

Below, you’ll find information about dipyridamole’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of dipyridamole

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you start dipyridamole, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for dipyridamole” section below.

Warnings for dipyridamole

Some people should not take or receive dipyridamole, and others should take or receive it cautiously.

Dipyridamole could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether dipyridamole is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of dipyridamole your doctor prescribes.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for dipyridamole, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Dipyridamole can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to dipyridamole or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe dipyridamole. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to dipyridamole, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of dipyridamole

If you take dipyridamole by mouth, you should not take more dipyridamole than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much dipyridamole, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and dipyridamole

Information about dipyridamole and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Dipyridamole and pregnancy

There are risks to taking or receiving dipyridamole during pregnancy. But there are also risks associated with having blood clots in certain situations while pregnant. (Keep in mind that dipyridamole is prescribed to help prevent blood clots in certain situations.)

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about ways to help prevent blood clots during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether you should have dipyridamole during pregnancy.

Dipyridamole and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether dipyridamole should be taken or received while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before starting this medication.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about dipyridamole or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does the effectiveness of dipyridamole oral tablet compare with other drugs that help prevent blood clots?
• Is it safe for me to take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin, while taking dipyridamole?
• Does dipyridamole cause hair loss?

Resources

• Dipyridamole 5 mg/mL injection, USP 10 mL single dose vial. (2019). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/1a2c0a9a-c637-4485-ad4b-0b6d0b05fa20/spl-doc
• Dipyridamole tablets USP. (2021). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d89ee09f-ae57-028b-e053-2a95a90a3550/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Kerndt CC, et al. (2023). Dipyridamole. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554455/

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.