Generic Name: verapamil (oral)
Brand Names: Verelan, Verelan PM, Isoptin SR, Calan, Covera-HS, Calan SR
General Information:
Calan is a calcium-channel blocker. It changes the quantity of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. It works by relaxing the muscles of your blood vessels and heart. This drug is used to treat hypertension, certain heart rhythm disorders, angina (chest pain).
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Calan earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Always contact a medic before giving Calan to a child.
You will need to check your pulse rate and blood pressure regularly. Ask your physician what your pulse rate or blood pressure should be and when you should contact him or her.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
It is important to report to a doctor if you have or had the following conditions:
- low blood pressure, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, “sick sinus syndrome” or “AV block” (unless you have a pacemaker)
- if you have recently had a heart attack
- low blood pressure
- allergy to Calan, other preservatives, medicines, foods or dyes
How do I take this medicine?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
This drug should be taken orally with some water with or without food. Take the doses on the rigid schedule. Avoid taking your drug more often than prescribed.
Overdosage:
Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your health care professional instantly.
In large doses, this remedy may cause the following conditions: slow heartbeat and fainting.
What should be done if I missed the dose?
In case you forgot to take the dose, take it at your earliest opportunity. Never double your dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Take only one dose at once.
Interactions:
- carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol);
- lithium (LithoBid, Eskalith);
- an antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), voriconazole (Vfend), ketoconazole (Nizoral);
- theophylline (Theo-24, Uniphyl, Elixophyllin);
- any other blood pressure medications;
- cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
- buspirone (BuSpar);
- phenobarbital (Solfoton);
- cimetidine (Tagamet HB, Tagamet);
- triazolam (Halcion);
- a sedative such as midazolam (Versed), triazolam (Halcion);
- digoxin (Lanoxin, digitalis, Lanoxicaps);
- a heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Pacerone, Cordarone ), flecainide (Tambocor), dopyramide (Norpace), or quinidine (Quinidex, Quinaglute, Quin-Release);
- lovastatin (Mevacor);
- HIV/AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), atazanavir (Reyataz), indinavir (Crixivan), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept);
- rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin, Rifater);
- an antibiotic such as erythromycin (Erythrocin, E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, E.E.S.), clarithromycin (Biaxin), or telitomycin (Ketek);
- a beta-blocker such as bisoprolol (Ziac, Zebeta), atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (InnoPran, Inderal), metoprolol (Toprol, Lopressor), timolol (Blocadren), sotalol (Betapace), and others
Grapefruit juice and grapefruit may interact with Calan and lead to dangerous effects. Consult your physician about the use of grapefruit.
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
Side Effects:
Contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following
Serious side effects:
- allergy like swelling of the tongue, lips or face, hives, itching, skin rash
- rapid weight gain
- feeling like you might pass out
- fast or slow heartbeats
- swelling
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
- sore throat, fever, headache with a severe blistering, red skin rash and peeling
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
Side effects which as a rule don’t need medical control
(tell your medic if they last or are troubling):
- constipation or diarrhea
- constipation, nausea, vomiting
- tired or weak
- redness, warmth, itching, tingly feeling under your skin
- skin rash or itching
This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.
Where should I save this drug?
Calan should be stored at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F), in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture, direct heat, and light. Do not store in the bathroom or near a sink. Keep Calan out of the reach of children and away from animals.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor. The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.