what is dipyridamole?

Answer 1

Dipyridamole is a drug that inhibits platelet aggregation and causes vasodilation.

* It inhibits the cellular reuptake of adenosine into platelets, red blood cells and endothelial cells leading to increased extracellular concentrations of adenosine.
* It also inhibits the enzyme adenosine deaminase which normally breaks down adenosine into inosine. This inhibition leads to further increased levels of extracellular adenosine.
* Dipyridamole also inhibits the enzyme phosphodiesterase which normally breaks down cAMP.
* Adenosine interacts with the adenosine receptors to cause increased cAMP via adenylate cyclase.
* cAMP impairs platelet aggregation and also causes arteriolar smooth muscle relaxation.

Modified release dipyridamole is used in conjunction with aspirin (under the trade name Aggrenox®) in the secondary prevention of stroke and transient ischemic attack. This practice is now confirmed by the ESPRIT trial.

Dipyridamole is also used in nuclear cardiac stress testing as a coronary vasodilator.

* Via the mechanisms mentioned above, it increases the local concentration of adenosine in the coronary circulation which causes vasodilation.
* Vasodilation of healthy arteries is physiologic, whereas diseased arteries actually experience a drop in blood flow via "steal" phenomena which can be detected by electrocardiogram and echocardiography when it causes ischemia.
* Flow heterogeneity (a necessary precursor to ischemia) can de detected with gamma-cameras and SPECT using nuclear imaging agents such as Thallium-201 and Tc99m-Sestamibi.

Answer 2

Dipyridamole
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-{[9-(bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)-2,7-bis(1-piperidyl)-
3,5,8,10-tetrazabicyclo[4.4.0]deca-2,4,7,9,11-pentaen-
4-yl]-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino}ethanol
Identifiers
CAS number 58-32-2
ATC code B01AC07
PubChem 3108
DrugBank APRD00360
Chemical data
Formula C24H40N8O4
Mol. weight 504.626 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability ?
Protein binding 99%
Metabolism ?
Half life 40 minutes
Excretion ?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat. ?

Legal status
Routes ?
Dipyridamole is a drug that inhibits platelet aggregation and causes vasodilation.

It inhibits the cellular reuptake of adenosine into platelets, red blood cells and endothelial cells leading to increased extracellular concentrations of adenosine.
It also inhibits the enzyme adenosine deaminase which normally breaks down adenosine into inosine. This inhibition leads to further increased levels of extracellular adenosine.
Dipyridamole also inhibits the enzyme phosphodiesterase which normally breaks down cAMP.
Adenosine interacts with the adenosine receptors to cause increased cAMP via adenylate cyclase.
cAMP impairs platelet aggregation and also causes arteriolar smooth muscle relaxation.
Modified release dipyridamole is used in conjunction with aspirin (under the trade name Aggrenox®) in the secondary prevention of stroke and transient ischemic attack. This practice is now confirmed by the ESPRIT trial.

Dipyridamole is also used in nuclear cardiac stress testing as a coronary vasodilator.

Via the mechanisms mentioned above, it increases the local concentration of adenosine in the coronary circulation which causes vasodilation.
Vasodilation of healthy arteries is physiologic, whereas diseased arteries actually experience a drop in blood flow via "steal" phenomena which can be detected by electrocardiogram and echocardiography when it causes ischemia.
Flow heterogeneity (a necessary precursor to ischemia) can de detected with gamma-cameras and SPECT using nuclear imaging agents such as Thallium-201 and Tc99m-Sestamibi.

Answer 3

To put it into plain English it is an anti thrombotic drug.
It is used to prevent thrombosis(blood-clot formation) but does not have the usual action of an anticoagulant. It seems to work by stopping platelets sticking to one another or to surgically inserted tubes and valves(particularly artificial heart valves)
Administration can be oral as tablets or by injection.
Side -effects:there may be nausea and diarrhoea,headache and low blood pressure.

Answer 4

Sounds a bit like a dypso, but don't listen to me I'm pissed!!

Answer 5

"Blood-thinning" drug to help prevent stroke or heart attack