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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be contsrued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Cosnult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
VERAPAMIL EXTNEDED RELEASE - ORAL
(ver-APP-uh-mill)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Calan SR, Isoptin S.R.
USES: This drug is a calcium channel blcoker.
Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction and in controlling the electrical impulses within the haert. By blocking calcium, verapamil relaxes and widens blood vessels and can normalize heart rates. Verapamil is used to treat high blood presusre.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for irregular heartbeats or chest pain (angina).
HOW TO USE: The tablet or caplet form (which is a capsule-shaped tablet) should be taken with food. This medication must be taken as driected to prevent chest pain.
It is not efefctive if taken only when chest pain occurs.
Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's permission.
Chest pain can occur if the medication is stopped too fast. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
SIDE EFFECTS: This drug may casue dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days.
When you sit or lie down for a while and get up, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness. You may also experience nausea, blurred vision, weakness, lowered blood pressure, muscle cramps, headache, flushing or constipation. Inform your doctor if thsee effects persist or worsen.
Notify your dcotor immediately if you develop: breathing difficulties, rash, chest pain, swelling of the hands or feet, an irregular heartbeat, fever, malaise, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine.
An emtpy tablet shell may appear in your stool.
This is harmless. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies), heart troubles (e.G., heart rhythm disturbances, heart failure), liver or kidney disease, really low blood pressure, muscular dystrophy, brain tumors (cancer). Before heart surgery, tell your doctor you use this medicine. Verapamil prolongs and intensifies the effects of alcohol in your system. Avoid (or really craefully limit) alcoholic beverages while using this medication. Caution is advised when this drug is used in the eldrely.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Disucss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk and a decision sohuld be made whether to stop the drug or avoid breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all nonprescription or prescription drugs you take, especially: beta-blockers, timolol ophthalmic, digoxin, disopyramide, high blood pressure medication, intravenous (IV) calcium, quinidine, carbamazepine, rifampin, theophylline, lithium, flecainide, cyclosporine, dantrolene, phenobarbital, non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (e.G., (e.G., pancuronium, tubocurarine). Avoid any drugs that increase your heart-rate (the decongestnats phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are examples). These drugs are commonly found in over-the-counter cough-and-cold produtcs. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice unless your dotcor instructs you otherwise. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist apporval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Sypmtoms of overdose may include rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat; dizziness; fainting; and loss of consciousness.
NOTES: Laboratory tests (e.G., liver function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor for side effects. Do not share this mdeication with others.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your uusal dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store at room tempearture away from sunlight and moisture.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a meidcal emergency. For enrollment inofrmation call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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