Persantin (Dipyridamole)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Persantin Used For?
Persantin Ampoules contain dipyridamole, a heart medicine that helps doctors evaluate how well your heart functions under stress conditions.
Primary Uses
Persantin Ampoules are used as a diagnostic tool to detect potential problems with heart function during stress testing. This helps predict the likelihood of heart disease risks.
How It Works
Persantin increases blood flow to the heart by causing the blood-supplying arteries to widen, allowing doctors to assess heart function more effectively.
How to Take Persantin
Persantin Ampoules are administered only by healthcare professionals in a medical setting as an intravenous infusion.
Dosage Instructions
Your doctor will determine the exact dose based on your body weight. For perfusion imaging: 0.14 mg/kg/min (0.56 mg/kg total) infused over 4 minutes. For stress echo testing: 0.56 mg/kg over 4 minutes, followed by 4 minutes of no dose, and if needed, an additional 0.28 mg/kg over 2 minutes (cumulative dose 0.84 mg/kg over 10 minutes).
What If You Miss a Dose?
This does not apply as Persantin Ampoules are administered by healthcare professionals during scheduled medical procedures.
Important: Avoid drinks containing caffeine (tea, coffee, cola) for 24 hours before treatment as caffeine can decrease the medicine’s effectiveness.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache
- Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea
- Muscle aches and pains
- Dizziness
- Stomach pain
- Tingling or numbness of hands or feet
- Hot flushes
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Angina
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Stroke or mini-stroke
- Changes in heart beat (faster, slower, or irregular)
- Allergic reactions (rash, hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, mouth)
- Fits/convulsions
- Sudden collapse
Important Warnings
Persantin Ampoules should not be used in certain serious medical conditions and requires careful monitoring during administration.
Who Should Not Take Persantin
Do not use if you are allergic to dipyridamole or any ingredients, in states of shock or collapse, have serious heart conditions including heart attack, heart failure, angina, abnormal heart rhythms, heart valve problems, lung artery blockage, heart inflammation, or aortic tears.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have any heart condition or disease, asthma, high or low blood pressure, unexplained fainting or mini-strokes, or severe muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It may affect your developing baby, and the active ingredient passes into breast milk.
Children: This medicine should not be given to children due to limited safety information.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Persantin and affect how it works. Always inform your healthcare team about all medicines you’re taking.
- Aspirin
- Other dipyridamole-containing medicines (Persantin SR, Asasantin SR)
- Blood thinners like warfarin
- Asthma medications like theophylline
- High blood pressure medicines
- Myasthenia gravis treatments (neostigmine, distigmine)
- Heart rhythm medications like adenosine
Alcohol & Driving
Special precautions regarding alcohol and activities requiring alertness should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Alcohol
Avoid caffeine-containing beverages (which include some alcoholic drinks) for 24 hours before treatment.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Since this medication is administered in a medical setting during diagnostic procedures, driving considerations will be addressed by your healthcare team based on your response to treatment.
Storage
Persantin Ampoules are stored by healthcare professionals in the pharmacy or ward below 25°C. Each ampoule can only be used once, and any unused contents must be discarded after opening.
Overdose Information
Since Persantin Ampoules are given under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, symptoms may include feeling warm, flushing, sweating, restlessness, weakness, dizziness, chest pain, increased pulse rate, and drop in blood pressure. If you experience any signs of overdose, tell your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department for urgent medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
The infusion typically takes 4-10 minutes depending on the type of test being performed. For perfusion imaging, it’s given over 4 minutes. For stress echo testing, it may take up to 10 minutes with intervals.
You should avoid drinks containing caffeine (tea, coffee, cola) for 24 hours before treatment, as caffeine can decrease the medicine’s effectiveness. Follow any other fasting instructions provided by your healthcare team.
No, Persantin is not addictive. It’s a diagnostic medication used only during medical procedures to assess heart function.
You may experience some side effects like headache, dizziness, nausea, or hot flushes during or after the infusion. Your healthcare team will monitor you closely and can treat any side effects that occur.
Tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking, especially aspirin, blood thinners, asthma medications, blood pressure medicines, and any other heart medications. Your doctor will advise whether to continue or temporarily stop any medications.
The safety depends on your individual health conditions. Your doctor will evaluate whether you have any serious heart conditions, blood pressure issues, or other medical conditions that might make the test unsuitable for you.
Allergic reactions can include rash, hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling. Since you’re in a medical setting during the procedure, healthcare professionals can immediately treat any allergic reactions that occur.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.