|
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 heart rates. Verapamil is used to treat high blood pressure. This medication may also be used for irregular heartbeats or chest pain (angina).
|
|
| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
|
IsoptinS.R.
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 heart rates. Verapamil is used to treat high blood pressure. This medication may also be used for irregular heartbeats or chest pain (angina).
Notes
- Occasionally the outer shell of the tablet passes through the digestive system unchanged.
- If it appears in your stool there is no reason for concern as this is harmless.
- Do not share this medication with others.
Storage
- Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
How To Use
- The tablet or caplet form (which is a capsule-shaped tablet) should be taken with food.
- This medication must be taken as directed to prevent chest pain.
- It is not effective if taken only when chest pain occurs.
- Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's permission.
- Chest pain can occur if the medication is stopped too fast.
- Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Side Effects
- This drug may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days.
- When you sit or lie down for a while and get up, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness.
- You may also experience nausea, blurred vision, weakness, lowered blood pressure, muscle cramps, headache, flushing or constipation.
- Inform your doctor if these effects persist or worsen.
- Notify your doctor if you develop breathing difficulties, rash, chest pain, swelling of the hands or feet or an irregular heartbeat.
- 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 any allergies (especially drug allergies), heart problems (e.g., heart rhythm disturbances, heart failure), liver or kidney disease, very low blood pressure, muscular dystrophy or brain tumors (cancer).
- Before heart surgery, tell your doctor you use this medicine.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Caution is advised when this drug is used in the elderly.
- This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
- This drug is excreted into breast milk and a decision should be made whether to stop the drug or avoid breast-feeding.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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 usual dosing schedule.
- Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
Drug Interactions
- Tell your doctor of all nonprescription or prescription drugs you take, especially beta-blockers, timolol ophthalmic, digoxin, disopyramide, high blood pressure medication, calcium, quinidine, carbamazepine, rifampin, theophylline, lithium, flecainide, cyclosporine, dantrolene, phenobarbital or non-depolarizing muscle relaxants.
- Avoid any drugs that increase your heart-rate (the decongestants phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are examples).
- These drugs are commonly found in over-the-counter cough-and-cold products.
- Avoid grapefruit juice while using this medication, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
- Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
|
CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
|