Dipyridamole Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 20, 2025.

Applies to dipyridamole: solution, tablet.

Precautions

Dipyridamole is sometimes used together with an anticoagulant (blood thinner) or aspirin. The combination of medicines may provide better protection against the formation of blood clots than any of the medicines used alone. However, the risk of bleeding may also be increased when dipyridamole is taken with aspirin. To reduce the risk of bleeding:

• Do not take aspirin, or any combination medicine containing aspirin, unless the same doctor who directed you to take dipyridamole also directs you to take aspirin. This is especially important if you are taking an anticoagulant together with dipyridamole.
• If you have been directed to take aspirin together with dipyridamole, take only the amount of aspirin ordered by your doctor . If you need a medicine to relieve pain or a fever, your doctor may not want you to take extra aspirin. It is a good idea to discuss this with your doctor, so that you will know ahead of time what medicine to take.
• Your doctor should check your progress at regular visits.

Tell all medical doctors and dentists you go to that you are taking dipyridamole, and whether or not you are taking an anticoagulant (blood thinner) or aspirin together with it.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

Common side effects of dipyridamole

Some side effects of dipyridamole may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of dipyridamole

Along with its needed effects, dipyridamole may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur while taking dipyridamole:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to dipyridamole: compounding powder, intravenous solution, oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most frequent adverse reactions were chest pain/angina pectoris, electrocardiographic changes (mostly ST-T changes), headache, and dizziness.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Chest pain/angina pectoris (19.7%), electrocardiographic changes (15.9%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Electrocardiographic abnormalities/ST-T changes, electrocardiographic abnormalities/extrasystoles, hypotension, flushing, electrocardiographic abnormalities/tachycardia, blood pressure lability, hypertension, angina pectoris, bleeding
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myocardial infarction, electrocardiographic abnormalities unspecified, arrhythmia unspecified, palpitation, ventricular tachycardia, bradycardia, atrioventricular block, orthostatic hypotension, atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Fatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia unspecified, heart block unspecified, cardiomyopathy, intermittent claudication
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Asystole, sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation
• Frequency not reported: Bleeding during or after surgery, cardiac death, ventricular fibrillation, symptomatic ventricular tachycardia, sinus node arrest, sinus node depression, conduction block, tachycardia, post procedural hemorrhage, operative hemorrhage, cardiac arrest, sinus arrest
• Postmarketing reports: Palpitation^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Severe bronchospasm, pharyngitis, bronchospasm, hyperventilation, rhinitis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dysphonia, coughing, pleural pain
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pulmonary edema
• Frequency not reported: Laryngospasm
• Postmarketing reports: Larynx edema^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 37.2%), dizziness (up to 30.1%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypoesthesia, hypertonia, tremor, tinnitus, dysgeusia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Abnormal coordination, somnolence, migraine, vertigo, transient ischemic attack
• Frequency not reported: Stroke, transient cerebral ischemia, seizures, cerebrovascular accident, syncope, cerebral seizure/grand mal seizure^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (up to 16.6%), diarrhea (up to 15.4%), nausea (up to 14.8%), gastric pain (up to 14.5%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal distress, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth, abdominal pain, flatulence, eructation
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Dysphagia, tenesmus
• Frequency not reported: Gastroduodenal ulcer^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Pain unspecified, fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthenia, malaise, earache
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Death, any complication^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Back pain, arthralgia, rigor
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Leg cramping
• Postmarketing reports: Arthritis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diaphoresis
• Frequency not reported: Pruritus, urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Alopecia^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reaction
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactoid reaction, angioedema
• Postmarketing reports: Allergic reaction, urticaria, pruritus, dermatitis, rash^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nervousness/anxiety
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Depersonalization^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vision abnormalities unspecified
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Eye pain^[Ref]

Local

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Injection site reaction unspecified, injection site pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Edema, appetite increased, thirst^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Breast pain^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Perineal pain^[Ref]

Renal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Renal pain^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenia, anemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Liver dysfunction
• Postmarketing reports: Hepatitis, cholelithiasis^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Rash, urticaria, severe bronchospasm, angioedema^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Dipyridamole side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer