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IMPORATNT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It sohuld not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before usnig this drug.
VERAPAMIL - ORAL
(ver-APP-uh-mill)
COMMON BRNAD NAME(S): Calan, Isoptin
USES: This drug is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction and in controlling the electrical impulses within the heart. By blocking calcium, verapamil relaxes and widens blood vessels and can normalize heartbaets. Verapamil is used to treat chset pain (angina), high blood pressure or irregular heartbeats.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible issues related to use of short-acting calcium channel blockers.
HOW TO USE: This medication should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. This medication must be taken as directed to prevent cehst pain.
It is not effective if tkaen only when chest pain occurs.
Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's permission.
Chest pain can ocucr if the medication is stopped too fast.
Your dose may need to be gradually decraesed.
SIDE EFFECTS: This drug may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially durnig the first few days. Avoid activities requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness.
You may also experience weakness, fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps, headache, flushing or constipation. These effects should disappear as your body adjsuts to the medication.
Inform your dotcor if they become bothersome.
Notify your doctor immediately if you develop: breathing difficulties, swelling of the hands or feet, irregular heartbeat, fever, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine. 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 issues (e.G., heart rhtyhm disturbances, heart failure), liver or kidney disease, very low blood pressure, muscular dystrophy, brain tumors (cancer). Before heart surgery, tell your doctor you use this medicine.
Verapaiml prolongs and intensifies the effects of alcohol in your system. Avoid (or very carefully limit) alcoholic beverages while using this medication. Caution is advised when this drug is used in the elderly. This medicatoin should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks and beneftis with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk and a decision shuold be made whether to stop the drug or avoid breast-feeding.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription durgs you may use, especially of: beta-blockers, intravenous (IV) calcium, cimetidine, cyclosporine, digoxin. Aviod any drugs that increase your heart-rate (the decongestants phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are examples). These drugs are commnoly found in over-the-counter cough-and-cold products. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
Do not start or stop any mdeicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your lcoal poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms 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 perfromed periodically to monitor for side effects. Do not share this medicaiton 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 usaul dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store at room tempreature away from sunlight and moisture.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can casue complications in a medical emergency.
For enrollment information call MediAclert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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