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| Pronunciation |
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 (ver
AP a
mil) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Calan®; Calan® SR;
Covera-HS®; Isoptin®; Isoptin® SR; Verelan®;
Verelan®
PM |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Verap® (Canada);
Dilacoran-HTA® (Mexico); Dilacoran (Mexico); Dilacoran-Retard®
(Mexico); Novo-Veramil (Canada); Nu-Verap (Canada); Veraken (Mexico); Verdilac
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class IV; Calcium Channel Blocker |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to verapamil or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Low blood pressure,
weakened heart (congestive heart failure) whose symptoms are poorly controlled,
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Lown-Ganoang-Levine syndrome, slow heart rate
without a pacemaker that works.
- If you are pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used for the treatment of high blood pressure and/or
chest pain from the heart. This is called angina.
- It is also used for irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and prevention
of migraine headaches.
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| How does it work? |
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- Verapamil blocks certain channels in blood vessels that cause
relaxation. This results in a lowering of blood pressure and an increased blood
flow to the heart, resulting in less chest
pain.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take liquid (suspension)/tablets with or without food. Take with food
if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
- A suspension is available if you cannot swallow tablets or who have
feeding tubes. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine administration.
Shake well first.
- Take sustained-release capsules with food. Swallow whole. Do not chew,
break, or crush.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
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- Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase
blood pressure.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
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- Lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that
require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or
laxative.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- No bowel movement in 3 days.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room temperature.
- Store liquid (suspension) in a refrigerator. Throw away after 30
days.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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