CALAN SR

Drug Name: CALAN SR

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

COMMON CALAN SR BRAND NAME(S):
Calan SR, Isoptin S.R.

CALAN SR SIDE EFFECTS:
CALAN SR 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 8orsen. Notify your doctor if you develop: breathing difficulties, rash, chest pain, swelling of the hands or feet, an irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE CALAN SR:
CALAN SR: The tablet or caplet form (which is a capsule-shaped tablet) should be taken with food. CALAN SR 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 SR 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 SR USES:
CALAN SR 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.

OTHER USES OF CALAN SR:
CALAN SR may also be used for irregular heartbeats or chest pain (angina).

CALAN SR PRECAUTIONS:
Before using CALAN SR, 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 SR is used in the elderly. CALAN SR should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. CALAN SR 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 SR 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, non-depolarizing muscle relaxants (e.g., (e.g., pancuronium, tubocurarine). 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 SR 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 SR 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 CALAN SR with others.

MISSED CALAN SR 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 SR 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.