CALAN

Drug Name: CALAN

CALAN DESCRIPTION:
VERAPAMIL - ORAL (ver-APP-uh-mill)

COMMON CALAN BRAND NAME(S):
Calan, Isoptin

CALAN SIDE EFFECTS:
CALAN may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days. Avoid activities requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness. You may also experience weakness, fatigue, nausea, muscle cramps, headache, flushing or constipation. These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform your doctor if they become bothersome. Notify your doctor if you develop: breathing difficulties, swelling of the hands or feet, irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE CALAN:
CALAN: CALAN should be swallowed whole with a full glass of water unless your doctor directs you otherwise. CALAN must be taken as directed to prevent chest pain. It is not effective if taken only when chest pain occurs. Do not stop taking CALAN 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.

CALAN USES:
CALAN 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 heartbeats. Verapamil is used to treat chest pain (angina), high blood pressure or irregular heartbeats. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible problems related to use of short-acting calcium channel blockers.

CALAN PRECAUTIONS:
Before using CALAN, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies), heart problems (e.g., heart rhythm disturbances, heart failure), liver or kidney disease, very low blood pressure, muscular dystrophy, brain tumors (cancer). Before heart surgery, tell your doctor you use this medicine. Limit alcohol intake. Caution is advised when CALAN is used in the elderly. CALAN should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. CALAN 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.

CALAN DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: beta-blockers, cimetidine, cyclosporine, digoxin. 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. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

CALAN OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat; dizziness; fainting; and loss of consciousness.

CALAN NOTES:
Do not share CALAN with others.

MISSED CALAN 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.

CALAN STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.