COVERA-HS

Drug Name: COVERA-HS

COVERA-HS DESCRIPTION:
VERAPAMIL HS EXTENDED RELEASE - ORAL (ver-APP-uh-mill)

COMMON COVERA-HS BRAND NAME(S):
Covera-HS

COVERA-HS SIDE EFFECTS:
COVERA-HS may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days. When you sit or lie down for a while and you must 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, irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE COVERA-HS:
COVERA-HS: COVERA-HS is taken once daily at bedtime. Swallow tablet(s) whole. Do not chew, break or crush tablet(s) before swallowing. May be taken with or without food. COVERA-HS must be taken as directed to prevent chest pain. It is not effective if taken only when chest pain occurs. It is very important you do not miss any doses. Do not stop taking COVERA-HS 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.

COVERA-HS USES:
COVERA-HS 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 or chest pain (angina).

OTHER USES OF COVERA-HS:
COVERA-HS may also be used for irregular heartbeats.

COVERA-HS PRECAUTIONS:
Before using COVERA-HS, 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, brain tumors (cancer). Before heart surgery, tell your doctor you use this medicine. Limit alcohol intake. Caution is advised when COVERA-HS is used in the elderly. COVERA-HS should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. COVERA-HS 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.

COVERA-HS DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription or prescription drugs you take, especially of: 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., 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.

COVERA-HS 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.

COVERA-HS 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 COVERA-HS with others.

MISSED COVERA-HS DOSE:
COVERA-HS should be taken at bedtime. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Your situation will have to be evaluated. Do not double the dose to catch up.

COVERA-HS STORAGE:
Store at room temperature at 68 to 77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) 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.