Pronunciation: [nˈɪmədˌɪpa͡ɪn] (IPA) 
The word "nimodipine" is spelled with the letter combination "im" after the first "n". In IPA phonetic transcription, this is represented as /nɪmɒdɪpiːn/. The "i" sound is pronounced like "ih" and the "m" and "d" sounds are voiced consonants. This medication is often used to prevent cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage. Accurate spelling of medical terms is crucial for effective communication in healthcare settings.
Nimodipine is a pharmaceutical substance used primarily for the treatment of certain neurological conditions, particularly subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). It belongs to the class of medications known as calcium channel blockers.
In terms of its pharmacological action, nimodipine selectively inhibits the flow of calcium ions across the cell membranes, effectively blocking the influx of calcium into smooth muscle cells. By doing so, nimodipine relaxes the smooth muscle walls of the arteries, promoting vasodilation and improving blood flow in the brain.
The primary indication for nimodipine is its use in preventing or reducing the severity of cerebral vasospasm, a condition in which the blood vessels in the brain narrow due to reduced blood flow, often occurring after a SAH. By dilating the cerebral blood vessels, nimodipine helps to prevent ischemic neurological deficits associated with vasospasm.
Additionally, nimodipine is sometimes used off-label for other conditions such as migraine headaches due to its ability to relax blood vessels. However, its main use is in the prevention of cerebral vasospasm following an SAH, which is considered the gold standard treatment in this particular context.
Nimodipine is typically administered orally in the form of oral capsules or liquid. It is important to note that nimodipine should not be administered intravenously or substituted with other calcium channel blockers due to its unique dosage form and specific indications. Close monitoring of blood pressure and neurological status is necessary during nimodipine therapy.
The word "Nimodipine" is a pharmaceutical name derived from the chemical structure and nomenclature of the compound. It is a combination of three components:
1. "Nim-" refers to nimbus, which means "cloud" in Latin. This part of the name signifies the compound's ability to pass through the blood-brain barrier and distribute within the brain tissue.
2. "-o-" serves as a linking vowel.
3. "-dipine" is a common suffix used for drugs belonging to the dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker class. This suffix is widely used in pharmaceutical nomenclature to describe similar compounds. The "dipine" ending indicates the specific drug class and its mechanism of action.
