PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

dipyridamole

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

Brand names: Persantine

Antiplatelet / Vasodilator Rx

Dipyridamole helps prevent blood clots after heart valve replacement. It works with other blood-thinning medicines.

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Generic Price

$0.11/unit

Generic Available

Yes (4 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

This medicine helps prevent blood clots after you have a heart valve replaced.

Common side effects

Dizziness, Abdominal distress

Key warnings

Taking dipyridamole with certain medicines used for heart stress tests can increase the risk of heart-related side effects.

How It Works

Dipyridamole is an antiplatelet medicine. It helps to keep blood cells called platelets from sticking together and forming clots. This helps your blood flow more freely.

How to Take It

Take 75 to 100 mg of dipyridamole four times each day. Take it as directed by your doctor, along with your usual warfarin medicine. Do not take aspirin with coumarin anticoagulants like warfarin. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if dipyridamole will harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.

Storage

Store dipyridamole at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F, away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 4,843 FDA adverse event reports.

Falling
545
Low blood pressure
531
Pain
516
Problems with thinking or memory
497
Reduced alertness
471
Difficulty pooping
467
Low blood pressure upon standing
464
Problems with balance
462
Problems with sleepiness
449
Low calcium levels in the blood
441

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 3,682 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2002–2025.

Total Reports

3,682

Death-Related Reports

459

Hospitalization Reports

1,894

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 1,700 (53%)
Male 1,453 (46%)

Age Distribution

0–17 205
18–44 162
45–64 575
65–74 610
75+ 1,235

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 FALL 545
2 HYPOTENSION 531
3 PAIN 516
4 COGNITIVE DISORDER 497
5 DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS 471
6 CONSTIPATION 467
7 ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION 464
8 BALANCE DISORDER 462
9 SEDATION COMPLICATION 449
10 BLOOD CALCIUM DECREASED 441
11 CREATININE RENAL CLEARANCE DECREASED 441
12 MOBILITY DECREASED 440
13 SEDATION 434
14 TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS 385
15 DYSPNOEA 241

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 73
PNEUMONIA 37
CEREBRAL HAEMORRHAGE 29
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT 29
RENAL FAILURE 27
MULTI-ORGAN FAILURE 25
SEPSIS 25
EMBOLISM 22
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 20
DIARRHOEA 19

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

FALL 525
HYPOTENSION 484
COGNITIVE DISORDER 479
PAIN 462
DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS 459
ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION 456
CONSTIPATION 455
BALANCE DISORDER 449
SEDATION COMPLICATION 446
BLOOD CALCIUM DECREASED 435

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Taking dipyridamole with certain medicines used for heart stress tests can increase the risk of heart-related side effects. Make sure your doctor knows you are taking dipyridamole before any stress test.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate heparin

7.2 Platelet Inhibitors Drugs such as NSAIDS (including salicylic acid, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and celecoxib), dextran, phenylbutazone, thienopyridines, dipyridamole, hydroxychloroquine, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists (including abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban), and others that interfere with platelet-aggregation reactions (the main hemostatic defense of heparinized patients) may induce bleeding and should be used with caution in patients receiving heparin sodium.

Mechanism: These drugs both interfere with how your blood clots, making it more likely that you will bleed. Dipyridamole stops blood cells from clumping together while heparin works as a blood thinner.

What to do: Use these medications together with caution. Your healthcare provider should monitor you for bleeding risks.

moderate warfarin

Table 3: Drugs that Can Increase the Risk of Bleeding Drug Class Specific Drugs Anticoagulants argatroban, dabigatran, bivalirudin, desirudin, heparin, lepirudin Antiplatelet Agents aspirin, cilostazol, clopidogrel, dipyridamole, prasugrel, ticlopidine Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Agents celecoxib, diclofenac, diflunisal, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, mefenamic acid, naproxen, oxaprozin, piroxicam, sulindac Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, milnacipran, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafa...

Mechanism: These medicines both thin the blood in different ways. Using them at the same time can lead to a higher chance of bruising or bleeding.

What to do: Watch for unusual bleeding and tell your doctor immediately if it happens. Your healthcare provider may need to change your treatment plan.

Adenosinergic agents (e.g., adenosine, regadenoson) Dipyridamole has been reported to increase the plasma levels and cardiovascular effects of adenosine. Adjustment of adenosine dosage may be necessary. Dipyridamole also increases the cardiovascular effects of regadenoson, an adenosine A 2A -receptor agonist.

Mechanism: Dipyridamole causes adenosine levels to build up in the blood, which can make the effects on your heart and blood vessels stronger.

What to do: Your doctor may need to change your dose of adenosine if you are also taking dipyridamole.

These agents include medications such as: anticoagulants, platelet inhibitors including acetylsalicylic acid, salicylates, NSAIDs (including ketorolac tromethamine), dipyridamole, or sulfinpyrazone.

Mechanism: These medicines both work to prevent blood clots in different ways, which can lead to an increased risk of bleeding when used together.

What to do: Watch for signs of bleeding and ensure your healthcare provider is aware you are taking both medications.

When therapeutic concentrations of furosemide, propranolol, dipyridamole, warfarin, quinidine or naproxen were added to human plasma (in vitro), the plasma protein binding of nicardipine hydrochloride capsules were not altered.

Mechanism: These drugs do not change how nicardipine attaches to proteins in the blood.

What to do: No specific dose changes are required based on this information, but you should keep your doctor informed.

Common Questions

Can I take aspirin with dipyridamole?
No, do not take aspirin with dipyridamole when you are also taking a coumarin anticoagulant like warfarin.
What should I tell my doctor before taking dipyridamole?
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Can dipyridamole cause bleeding?
When taken with warfarin, dipyridamole does not usually increase bleeding more than warfarin alone. However, increased bleeding during or after surgery has been reported rarely.
What are the signs of an allergic reaction?
Signs of an allergic reaction may include rash, hives, severe trouble breathing, and swelling. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these symptoms.
Can dipyridamole affect my liver?
Rarely, dipyridamole has been reported to cause liver problems. Contact your doctor if you develop symptoms like yellowing of the skin or eyes.
What if I experience persistent side effects?
If you have side effects that are bothersome or do not go away, talk to your doctor. They may need to adjust your dose or have you stop taking the medicine.
Does dipyridamole interact with other medications?
Yes, dipyridamole can interact with certain medicines, such as those used for heart stress tests and cholinesterase inhibitors. Be sure your doctor knows all the medicines you are taking.
How long will I need to take dipyridamole?
Your doctor will determine how long you need to take dipyridamole based on your specific situation. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
What does dipyridamole look like?
Dipyridamole tablets are light yellow, round, and film-coated. They come in different strengths (25 mg, 50 mg, and 75 mg).
What if I accidentally take too much dipyridamole?
If you take too much dipyridamole, call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
What are the common side effects of dipyridamole?
The most commonly reported side effects of dipyridamole include Dizziness, Abdominal distress. Based on 4,843 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does dipyridamole interact with other medications?
Yes, dipyridamole has 5 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include heparin, warfarin, adenosine. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is dipyridamole?
dipyridamole belongs to the Antiplatelet / Vasodilator drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). This medicine helps prevent blood clots after you have a heart valve replaced.
Is dipyridamole safe during pregnancy?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if dipyridamole will harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Antiplatelet / Vasodilator

Other drugs grouped near dipyridamole — same-class peers and common alternatives.

Compare dipyridamole vs apixaban side-by-side →

Medication Guides

Related Health & Safety Data

Save on dipyridamole

Compare prices and find discounts at pharmacies near you. Free coupons can save up to 80% on prescriptions.

Disclosure: This link may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. See our terms.

What the FDA Data Shows for dipyridamole

The FDA label for dipyridamole (sold under brand names such as Persantine) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Antiplatelet / Vasodilator class. This medicine helps prevent blood clots after you have a heart valve replaced. Official labeling lists 2 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Abdominal distress.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 4,843 voluntary reports. The database also lists 5 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.11.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: September 16, 2023

All federal data sources used on this page