Thursday, November 8, 2007

Isoptin is verapamil !

Verapamil is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Verapamil relaxes (widens) blood vessels (veins and arteries), which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reducing its workload. Verapamil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), to treat angina (chest pain), and control certain types of irregular heartbeats. Verapamil may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. What's the most important information I should know about verapamil? Do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could worsen. Do not crush, chew, or break the extended release forms verapamil as generics Covera-HS and Verelan PM. Swallow it whole. Generic verapamil SR, Isoptin SR, Calan SR and can be divided into two, but must not be crushed or chewed. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking verapamil? Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you Kidney or liver disease; Other diseases of the heart or blood vessel, such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, heart block, Wolff - Parkinson-White syndrome, coronary heart disease, or low blood pressure; Or Muscular Dystrophy. You may not be able to take verapamil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Verapamil is the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether verapamil be harmful to the unborn child. Do not take verapamil without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Verapamil is excreted in human milk and can harm infants. Do not take verapamil without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How do I take verapamil? Verapamil Take exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. Verelan, Verelan PM, Calan, Isoptin, Covera-HS, and generic forms of regular-release verapamil can be taken with or without food. Taking the drug with food can reduce stomach upset if it occurs. Calan SR, Isoptin SR, and generic sustained-release verapamil (verapamil SR) may be more likely to cause stomach upset and should be taken with food to reduce this side effect. Take Covera-HS and Verelan PM at bedtime. If you have difficulty swallowing the Verelan pellet capsules filled, they can be opened and the contents can be sprinkled over cold, soft food like apples. This mixture must be swallowed without chewing. Use the mixture immediately. Do not save it for later use. (Do not use this procedure to the Verelan PM capsules). Do not crush, chew, or break the extended release forms verapamil such as Covera-HS and Verelan PM. Swallow it whole. Generic verapamil SR, Isoptin SR, Calan SR and can be divided in half if the tablets are labeled, but must not be crushed or chewed. If you take Covera-HS, not to be concerned if you find what looks like a tablet undissolved in your stool. The medication is formulated with an outer shell that does dissolve. This package allows medicine to be released slowly into the body before being released into the stool. It is important to take verapamil regularly to maximize profits. Do not stop taking the medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking the medication, your condition could worsen. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with verapamil. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Talk of the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Your doctor may have blood tests, blood pressure monitoring and other medical evaluations during treatment with verapamil to monitor progress and side effects. Verapamil Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regular dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. What happens if I overdose? Search for emergency medical care. Symptoms of an overdose verapamil include dizziness, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion. What should I avoid while taking verapamil? Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interact with verapamil. The interaction could lead to potentially dangerous effects. Talk of the use of grapefruit and grapefruit juice with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Avoid the use of alcohol. Alcohol can also lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking verapamil. Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding food made or exercise. Verapamil side effects If you experience any of the following serious side effects, and stop taking verapamil contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care: An allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; Or hives); Anormalement fast or slow heartbeat; Shortness of breath (heart failure); Fainting; Odd behavior or psychosis; Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); Or Swelling of the legs or ankles. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take verapamil and talk to your doctor if you experience Uncommon headaches, fatigue, or fatigue; Insomnia or sleeping disorders; Vivante dreams; The hair loss; Nausea or diarrhea; Or Frequent urination. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. What other drugs affect verapamil? Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: Cyclosporin (Sandimmune, Neoral); Cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol); At lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, Theobid, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others); Rifampicin (Rifadin, Rimactane); Phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); A HMG CoA reductase inhibitor such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), simvastatin (Zocor), and others; Or Heart of another drug such as propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), atenolol (Tenormin), digoxin (Lanoxin), quinidine (Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute), flecainide (Tambocor), disopyramide ( Norpace), captopril (Capoten), Énalapril (Vasotec), and others. You may not be able to take verapamil, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the above-mentioned drugs. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with verapamil or harm your state. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any prescription or OTC medicines, including vitamins, minerals and products made from plants. Where can I get more information? Your pharmacist has additional information about verapamil written for health professionals which can be viewed. What does my medication looks? Verapamil is available with a prescription and generic under the brand names Calan, Calan SR, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM, Covera-HS. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist your questions about this product, especially if it is new to you. Calan 40 mg -- round, pink, film-coated tablets Calan 80 mg -- oval, color fishing, film-coated, scored tablets Calan 120 mg -- oval, brown, film-coated, scored tablets SR 120 mg Calan -- oval, light purple, film-coated tablets SR 180 mg Calan -- oval, light pink, film-coated, scored tablets SR 240 mg Calan -- capsule - shaped, light green, film-coated, scored tablets Isoptin 40 mg -- round, light blue, film-coated, scored tablets Isoptin 80 mg -- round, yellow, film-coated, scored tablets Isoptin 120 mg -- round, white, film-coated, scored tablets Isoptin SR 120 mg -- oval, light purple, film-coated tablets Isoptin SR 180 mg -- oval, light pink, film-coated, scored tablets Isoptin SR 240 mg -- capsule - shaped, light green, film-coated, scored tablets Verelan 120 mg -- yellow capsules Verelan 180 mg--yellow/gray capsules Verelan 240 mg--dark-blue/yellow capsules Verelan 360 mg--purple/yellow capsules Verelan PM 100 mg-white/amethyst capsules Verelan PM 200 mg-amethyst/amethyst capsules Verelan PM 300 mg-lavender/amethyst capsules Seats HS 180 mg -- round, lavender, film-coated tablets Seats HS 240 mg -- round, pale yellow, film-coated tablets Remember, keep this and all medicines out of reach of children, never share your medications with others, and using it only for the particular required. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc ( "Multum ') is accurate, current and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by practitioners and health care consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not guarantee that the use outside the United States are appropriate, unless otherwise noted. Multum Information on drugs does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum drug information is an information resource designed to help health practitioners allowed to care for their patients and / or serve consumers viewing this service as a complement, not replace, expertise , skill, knowledge and judgment of health practitioners. The absence of a warning for a drug or drug combination in no way should be interpreted to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for the same patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided Multum. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or side effects. If you have any questions about the medications you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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