In Canada—

• Vasospastic therapy adjunct

Nylidrin (NYE-li-drin) belongs to the group of medicines called vasodilators. Vasodilators increase the size of blood vessels. Nylidrin is used to treat problems due to poor blood circulation.

Nylidrin is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Tablets (Canada)

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nylidrin, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to nylidrin. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy—Studies on effects in pregnancy have have not been done in either humans or animals.

Breast-feeding—It is not known whether nylidrin passes into breast milk. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.

Older adults—Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of nylidrin in the elderly with use in other age groups. However, nylidrin may reduce tolerance to cold temperatures in elderly patients.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine, or if you smoke.

• Angina (chest pain) or
• Fast heartbeat or
• Heart attack (recent) or other heart disease or
• Overactive thyroid gland or
• Stomach ulcer—Nylidrin may make these conditions worse

Nylidrin may cause you to have a fast or pounding heartbeat. To keep this from affecting your sleep, do not take the last dose of the day at bedtime. Instead, it is best to plan your dose or doses according to a schedule that will least affect your sleep. Ask your health care professional to help you plan the best time to take this medicine.

Dosing—

The dose of nylidrin will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of nylidrin. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so:

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • Adults: 3 to 12 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

It may take some time for this medicine to work. If you feel that the medicine is not working, do not stop taking it on your own. Instead, check with your doctor.

The helpful effects of this medicine may be decreased if you smoke. If you have any questions about this, check with your doctor.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Less common
  • Dizziness;  fast or irregular heartbeat ;  weakness or tiredness (continuing) 
  
  

• Signs and symptoms of overdose
  • Blurred vision;  chest pain;  decrease in urination or inability to urinate;  fever;  metallic taste 
  
  

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

• Less common
  • Chilliness;  flushing or redness of face ;  headache;  nausea and vomiting ;  nervousness;  trembling  
  
  

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.