nylidrin

Nylidrin is a medication used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disorders, and organic mental disorders in adults which result from reasons other than psychiatric illnesses. Nylidrin dilates blood vessels and improves cardiac output and blood flow to the brain and all the other organs. Nylidrin is no longer available in the U.S.A., however, because the FDA has withdrawn the drug from the market, considering nylidrin as lacking substantial evidence of effectiveness in improved blood circulation to the brain.

Nylidrin belongs to beta1/beta2 adrenergic agonists that work by stimulating beta1 and beta2 receptors. Beta receptors are protein particles located on heart muscle cells, kidneys and other smooth muscle cells including the bronchial passage. Stimulation of beta receptors increases the heart rate and the force of heart muscle contractions and dilates blood vessels, increasing cardiac output and improving blood circulation. Nylidrin also relaxes smooth muscles in the airway, kidneys and uterus.

Improving blood circulation may be beneficial in vascular disorders such as Raynaud’s phenomenon, thromboangiitis obliterans, thrombophlebitis, arteriosclerosis, cerebrovascular disease, night leg cramps, diabetic vascular condition, and healing of frostbite and skin ulcers. Nylidrin’s mechanism in organic mental disorders is not known. The benefit is believed to derive from an increase in blood flow to the brain, which may improve memory and judgment, and walking ability in geriatric patients with impaired blood flow.

• Do not use nylidrin in the following conditions:
  • Recent heart attack (myocardial infarction)
  • Chest pain with increasing frequency and severity (progressive angina)
  • Episodes of high heart rate (paroxysmal tachycardia)
  • Excessive circulating T3 and/or T4 thyroid hormones (thyrotoxicosis)
• Use nylidrin with caution in patients with heart conditions including:
  • Uncompensated congestive heart failure
  • Rapid irregular heart rhythm conditions (tachyarrhythmias)

Common side effects of nylidrin include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Trembling
• Dizziness
• Palpitations
• Drop in blood pressure when standing up from sitting or lying down (postural hypotension)

Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:

• Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
• Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.

This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tablet

• 6 mg

Adult:

Peripheral Vascular Disorders

• 12-48 mg/day oral divided three or four time daily

Organic Mental Disorders

• 12-24 mg/day oral divided three or four time daily

Pediatric:

• Safety and efficacy not established

Overdose

• Most common effects of nylidrin overdose include nausea, high blood pressure (hypertension), palpitations, pupil dilation, anxiety, agitation and restlessness.
• Severe overdose may cause hallucinations, seizures, agitated delirium, life-threatening irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and blood vessel spasms that can impair blood flow to the heart and other organs.
• Severe hypertension can result in intracranial hemorrhage, a reflex drop in heart rate (bradycardia), and kidney function impairment. Prolonged agitation can lead to high body temperature (hyperthermia) and muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis).
• Overdose may be treated with symptomatic and supportive care.

Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.

• Nylidrin has no known severe, serious, moderate, or mild interactions with other drugs.

The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.

It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.

• There is no information available on the use of nylidrin during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Use with caution in pregnant or breastfeeding women only if benefits outweigh potential risks to the fetus or the breastfed infant.

• Take nylidrin exactly as prescribed.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• In case of overdose, seek immediate medical care or contact Poison Control.