The FDA has asked Bayer, the maker of nimodipine (Nimotop), to add a warning regarding medication administration errors. The agency requested the action after receiving reports of administration errors in which the drug was given intravenously or parenterally, rather than orally. Serious adverse events, including death, may occur when nimodipine is administered intravenously or parenterally.
In addition to a fatal case reported in 2005, there has been a history of these errors, the FDA states. Although Bayer included a bolded warning on nimodipine's labeling after a 1996 death resulting from the error, cases are still occurring. The FDA has also asked Bayer to develop an oral solution of nimodipine for use in patients who cannot swallow capsules.