VASCOR

Drug Name: VASCOR

VASCOR DESCRIPTION:
BEPRIDIL - ORAL (BEP-rid-ill)

COMMON VASCOR BRAND NAME(S):
Vascor

VASCOR SIDE EFFECTS:
VASCOR 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 diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, blurred vision, muscle cramps, headache, fatigue, drowsiness, ringing in the ears, flushing, trembling or shaking hands. These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform your doctor if they continue or become bothersome. Notify your doctor if you develop any of these serious effects: trouble breathing, swelling of the hands or feet, unusual bleeding or bruising, chest pains, irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE VASCOR:
VASCOR: VASCOR must be taken as directed even when you do not have chest pain. It must be taken as prescribed to prevent chest pain from occurring. Try to take VASCOR at the same time(s) each day. Do not stop taking VASCOR suddenly without your doctor's permission. Some conditions can become worse if the medication is stopped too fast. If stomach upset occurs, VASCOR may be taken with food or milk.

VASCOR USES:
VASCOR is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction. By blocking calcium, bepridil relaxes and widens blood vessels. Bepridil is used to treat chest pain (angina). Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible problems related to use of short-acting calcium channel blockers.

VASCOR PRECAUTIONS:
Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart disease, heart arrhythmias, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders. Your doctor may do laboratory tests periodically while you are taking VASCOR to check your blood potassium level. VASCOR should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Since small amounts of bepridil appear in breast milk; consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

VASCOR DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take including: beta-blockers, (e.g., propranolol), digoxin, fentanyl, terfenadine, astemizole, drugs that can increase your heart-rate (e.g., asthma drugs, caffeine, pseudoephedrine). Check the ingredients on all cough-and-cold products. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of these products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

VASCOR 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.

MISSED VASCOR DOSE:
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember; 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.

VASCOR STORAGE:
Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom. 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.