Nimodipine Drug Class and Pharmacological Profile

Article Plan⁚ Nimodipine Drug Class and Pharmacological Profile

INTRODUCTION⁚ Enteral nimodipine provides a neuroprotective effect in patients who have experienced an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).​ Nimodipine remains the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for aSAH.​

Introduction

INTRODUCTION⁚ Enteral nimodipine provides a neuroprotective effect in patients who have experienced an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).​ Nimodipine remains the only US Food and Drug Administration-approved medication for aSAH.

Chemical Structure and Class

Nimodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker with a chemical structure of isopropyl 2-methoxyethyl 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(m-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate.​ It belongs to the class of 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.​ This compound acts as an L-type calcium channel blocker, particularly on cerebral circulation, and is used for the prevention.​.​.​

Pharmacology

Nimodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that blocks the flux of extracellular calcium through L-type, voltage-gated calcium channels.​ It has been shown to dilate cerebral arterioles and increase cerebral blood flow in both animals and humans.​ The pharmacology of nimodipine involves inhibiting calcium ion transfer into smooth muscle cells, particularly in cerebral circulation, without significantly affecting systemic arterial pressure.​ This medication has been used to prevent brain damage resulting from reduced blood flow in cases of aneurysms.​

FDA Approval and Clinical Use

Nimodipine, a second-generation 1٫4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker٫ was FDA approved in 1988 for the management of cerebral vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage.​ This medication has shown effectiveness in improving neurological outcomes in patients with a ruptured intracranial aneurysm. It is recommended as a neuroprotective agent in such cases and has been extensively used for this purpose since its approval.​

Research and Trials

Various pharmacological and clinical studies have been conducted with nimodipine in the past decade, with its pharmacology being extensively reviewed.​ Experimental and clinical findings of nimodipine have been the subject of workshops and symposia, highlighting the significance of ongoing research in this field.​ These studies aim to further explore the efficacy and safety profile of nimodipine in various neurological conditions, making it a focus of continued investigation and development.​