* Generic Name: verapamil hcl
* Brand Name: Calan
* What is verapamil?
* What are the possible side effects of verapamil?
* What is the most important information I should know about
verapamil?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
verapamil?
* How should I take verapamil?
* What happens if I miss a dose?
* What happens if I overdose?
* What should I avoid while taking verapamil?
* What other drugs will affect verapamil?
* Where can I get more information?
What is verapamil?
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing
the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
Verapamil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure),
angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders.
Verapamil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication
guide.
What are the possible side effects of verapamil?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* chest pain, fast or slow heart rate;
* a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
* shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid
weight gain;
* lung problems--anxiety, sweating, pale skin, wheezing,
gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus; or
* liver problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain,
tiredness, easy bruising or bleeding, dark urine, clay-colored
stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Common side effects may include:
* constipation;
* headache, dizziness; or
* abnormal liver function tests.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about verapamil?
You should not use verapamil if you have a serious heart condition such
as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a
pacemaker), severe heart failure, slow heartbeats that have
caused you to faint, or certain heart rhythm disorders of the
atrium (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow
into the heart).
Calan Patient Information including How Should I Take
Heart Disease:The No. 1 Killer in the U.S.
Heart Disease Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection
RxList
Take the Heart Disease Quiz!
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking verapamil?
You should not use verapamil if you are allergic to it, or if you have
a serious heart condition such as:
* "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a
pacemaker);
* severe heart failure;
* slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint; or
* certain heart rhythm disorders of the atrium (the upper chambers of
the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart).
To make sure verapamil is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
* congestive heart failure;
* low blood pressure;
* kidney disease;
* liver disease; or
* a nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis or
muscular dystrophy.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Verapamil can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the
nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take verapamil?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or
smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet or capsule.
Swallow it whole.
If you have trouble swallowing an extended-release capsule whole, ask
your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to open the capsule and
sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing
easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save
the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney or liver
function may also need to be checked.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using verapamil.
You should not stop using verapamil suddenly. Stopping suddenly may
make your condition worse.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this
medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no
symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of
your life.
Verapamil may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also
includes diet, exercise, and other medications. Follow your
doctor's instructions very closely.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Calan Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Heart Disease:The No. 1 Killer in the U.S.
Heart Disease Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Medical Illustrations of the Heart Image Collection
RxList
Take the Heart Disease Quiz!
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222. An overdose of verapamil can be fatal.
What should I avoid while taking verapamil?
If you also take disopyramide, avoid taking it within 48 hours before
or 24 hours after you take verapamil.
Verapamil may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you
drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may
feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase
certain side effects of verapamil.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with verapamil and
lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit
products with your doctor.
What other drugs will affect verapamil?
Many drugs can interact with verapamil. Some drugs can raise or lower
your blood levels of verapamil, which may cause side effects or make
verapamil less effective. Not all possible interactions are listed
here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you
start or stop using, especially:
* aspirin, imatinib, lithium, nefazodone, St. John's wort;
* all other heart or blood pressure medicines, especially
clonidine, digoxin, flecainide, ivabradine,
nicardipine, or quinidine;
* an antibiotic--clarithromycin, telithromycin;
* antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole,
voriconazole;
* antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis or HIV/AIDS--atazanavir,
boceprevir, cobicistat, delavirdine, efavirenz, fosamprenavir,
indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir;
* a beta blocker--atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol,
metoprolol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol,
and others;
* cholesterol lowering medicine--atorvastatin, fluvastatin,
lovastatin, pitavastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin,
simvastatin;
* drugs to treat high blood pressure or a prostate
disorder--alfuzosin, doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin,
silodosin, tamsulosin;
* seizure medicine--carbamazepine, phenobarbital,
phenytoin; or
* tuberculosis medicine--isoniazid, rifampin.
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with
verapamil. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your medicines to any
healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about verapamil.
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