FDA Alert Regarding Administration of Oral Nimodipine Capsules

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reminds health care providersthat oral nimodipine capsules should be given only by mouth or through a feeding or nasogastric tube and should never be given by intravenous administration. FDA continues to receive reports of intravenous nimodipine use, with serious, sometimes fatal, consequences.Intravenous injection of nimodipine can result in death, cardiac arrest,

severe falls in blood pressure, and other heart-related complications.Nimodipine is a medication intended to be given in a critical care setting to treat neurologic complications from subarachnoid hemorrhage
and is only available as a capsule. Prescribing information warns against intravenous use of nimodipine and also provides clear instructions on how to remove the liquid contents from the capsules for nasogastric tube administration in patients who are unable to swallow. The instructions recommend that the syringe used for withdrawal of capsule contents be labeled with “Not for IV Use.” FDA will continue
working with the manufacturers of nimodipine and with outside groups to evaluate and implement additional ways to prevent medication errors with this product.

Source : FDA Drug Safety