verapamil extended-release capsule – oral, Verelan
Medication Uses How To Use Side Effects Precautions Drug Interactions Overdose Notes Missed Dose Storage USES: Verapamil is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. It may also lower the heart rate.OTHER This section contains additional uses of this drug that may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this drug only if it has been prescribed for your specific condition.This drug may also be used to treat other heart diseases and prevent chest pain (angina). HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Depending on your brand, take it either in the morning or at bedtime. Consult your pharmacist if you have any questions.Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew them. Doing so can increase your risk of side effects.If you have trouble swallowing the capsule, you may open it and carefully sprinkle its contents on a spoonful of soft, cool applesauce just before taking it. Swallow the mixture immediately without chewing. Then rinse your mouth and swallow the rinse liquid to make sure you have taken all the medicine. Do not prepare the mixture in advance.The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Take it at the same time each day.For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take a week before you get the full benefit. Continue taking this medication even if you feel well.Do not stop taking this medication suddenly. Your condition may worsen. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, slow heartbeat, constipation, upset stomach, nausea, headache, and tiredness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.To lower your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if you experience swelling ankles/feet, shortness of breath, unusual tiredness, unexplained/sudden weight gain, severe dizziness, fainting, or very slow heartbeat.Tell your doctor immediately if you experience severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, or persistent nausea/vomiting.A serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you notice other effects not listed above.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada – Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345. PRECAUTIONS: Before taking verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have certain types of heart rhythm problems or other specific medical conditions.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially if you have liver disease, kidney disease, heart failure, or certain muscle/nerve disorders.This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you can do so safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.Before surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially constipation or swelling ankles/feet.During pregnancy, use this medication only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication passes into breast milk, but it is unlikely to harm a nursing infant. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breastfeeding.
QUESTION
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This drug should not be used with dofetilide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are currently using any medication listed above.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially aliskiren, clonidine, disopyramide, fingolimod, and lithium.Other medications can affect the removal of verapamil from your body, which may affect how this product works. Examples include atorvastatin, erythromycin, phenobarbital, rifamycins, ritonavir, St. John’s wort, and others.Verapamil can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include buspirone, carbamazepine, colchicine, eplerenone, midazolam, certain drugs for organ transplant, certain "statin" drugs, temsirolimus, theophylline, tizanidine, triazolam, and others.Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.This document does not contain all possible interactions. Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, or fainting. NOTES: Do not share this medication with others.Talk with your doctor about making changes to your lifestyle that may help this medication work better, such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes.Laboratory and/or medical tests should be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.Have your blood pressure and pulse checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to check your own blood pressure and pulse at home, and share the results with your doctor.There are different brands and types of this medication available. Some do not have the same effects. Do not change brands or types without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised November 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment 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 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.
