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Calcium Channel Blocker (neuroprotective)

Nimodipine

Brand names: Nimotop

Nimodipine is a calcium-channel blocker used specifically to prevent and treat delayed cerebral ischaemia (vasospasm) after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

A dihydropyridine with relative cerebral selectivity, it reduces vasospasm in the cerebral circulation.

Prescribing in practice

  • Give it orally (continuously, typically every 4 hours) wherever possible; it is not interchangeable with other calcium-blocker indications.
  • Hypotension can occur.
  • The intravenous formulation must be given only by specialists as a controlled infusion (never a bolus), and it interacts with PVC infusion equipment.

Monitoring

Monitor blood pressure and neurological status (a critical-care/neurosurgical setting).

Counselling the patient

  • It is given to protect the brain after the bleed; staff will monitor your blood pressure closely.

Evidence & guidelines

Improves neurological outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (standard neurosurgical/critical-care practice).

Reference: NICE NG228 Subarachnoid Haemorrhage; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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