Dipyridamole

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Persantine, Aggrenox (+ASA)

Pharmacological Mechanism

Inhibits adenosine uptake (ENT) + cyclic-GMP phosphodiesterase → raises extracellular adenosine + cGMP → platelet inhibition + vasodilation. IV use causes coronary vasodilation for pharmacologic stress testing. Weaker antiplatelet than aspirin alone; value is in secondary stroke prevention combined with low-dose ASA.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 12h, IV: 12h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 200mg (Range: 200 - 200 mg)
• IV: Typical 200mg (Range: 200 - 200 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• cardiovascular
• immune-hematologic

Interactions

• Caffeine
• Adenosine