Also indexed as: Permole, Persantine
Dipyridamole prevents platelet clumping and is used with warfarin (Coumadin®) to prevent blood clots from
forming after heart valve replacement. It may be used alone or combined with aspirin to prevent strokes.
Summary of
Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem
contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized
interactions.
 May Be Beneficial: Depletion or
interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or
function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them. |
Iron*
|
| May Be Beneficial: Supportive
interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication
work better. |
Garlic*
|
Check: Other—Before taking any of these supplements or eating any of
these foods with your medication, read this article in full for details. |
Caffeine
|
| Side effect reduction/prevention |
None known
|
| Reduced drug
absorption/bioavailability |
None known
|
| Adverse interaction |
None known
|
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the
interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific
evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Iron
Some studies suggest the taking of too much iron by individuals who are not iron deficient can
result in tissue damage that may contribute to heart disease.1 Test tube studies
have shown dipyridamole blocks platelet clumping caused by iron,2 which might
reduce the damage caused by this mineral. Controlled human studies are needed to test this
possibility.
Interactions with Herbs
Garlic
(Allium sativa)
A test tube study has shown ajoene, a compound found in garlic that prevents platelet
clumping, enhances the beneficial action of dipyridamole on human platelets.3
Controlled research is needed to determine whether taking garlic supplements together with
dipyridamole might enhance the effectiveness of either compound taken alone.
Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds
Coffee and Caffeine
Taking dipyridamole can cause a reduction in the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart,
resulting in a rare side effect known as angina
pectoris. Because dipyridamole has this effect, it has sometimes been used in heart stress
tests. One person who consumed coffee prior to the test failed to experience the expected
reduction in blood flow caused by dipyridamole.4 Controlled studies are needed to
determine whether consumption of beverages containing caffeine might reduce the likelihood of
developing angina from the drug.
References:1. Tzonou A, Lagiou P, Trichopoulou A, et al. Dietary iron and coronary
heart disease risk: a study from Greece. Am J Epidemiol 1998;147:161–6.
2. De la Cruz JP, Garcia PJ, Sanchez de la Cuesta F. Dipyridamole
inhibits platelet aggregation induced by oxygen-derived free radicals. Thromb Res
1992;66:277–85.
3. Apitz-Castro R, Escalante J, Vargas R, Jain MK. Ajoene, the
antiplatelet principle of garlic, synergistically potentiates the antiaggregatory action of
prostacyclin, forskolin, indomethacin and dipyridamole on human platelets. Thromb Res
1986;42:303–11.
4. Smits P, Aengevaeren WR, Corstens FH, Thien T. Caffeine reduces
dipyridamole-induced myocardial ischemia. J Nucl Med 1989;30:1723–6.