Before taking nimodipine, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, low blood pressure, high blood pressure (hypertension) for which you take medicine, or a history of heart problems such as a slow heart rate, congestive heart failure, or heart attack.

Nimodipine gel capsules are to be taken by mouth only. The medicine in the capsule should never be placed into a needle and syringe and injected into a vein. If the person taking nimodipine cannot swallow the capsule, use a needle to make a hole in each end of the capsule, and squeeze the medicine out into an oral syringe. The syringe can then be used to give the medicine through a nasogastric (through the nose and into the stomach) tube.

If you are able to swallow capsules, take nimodipine on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after meals. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking nimodipine. Alcohol and nimodipine may cause low blood pressure, drowsiness, or dizziness. Do not stop taking nimodipine without first talking to your doctor, even if you begin to feel better. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could become worse.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known if nimodipine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing infant. Do not take nimodipine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to have side effects from nimodipine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using nimodipine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

unusually fast or slow heartbeats;

fainting or severe dizziness;

easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

swelling in your legs or ankles.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely. Continue taking nimotop and talk to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

mild dizziness;

flushing (redness, warmth, or tingling feeling);

headache;

nausea, constipation; or

sweating.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.