VERAPAMIL HCL

Drug Name: VERAPAMIL HCL

VERAPAMIL HCL DESCRIPTION:
VERAPAMIL EXTENDED RELEASE CAPSULE - ORAL (ver-APP-uh-mill)

COMMON VERAPAMIL HCL BRAND NAME(S):
Verelan

VERAPAMIL HCL SIDE EFFECTS:
VERAPAMIL HCL 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 bloating, heartburn, nausea, blurred vision, muscle cramps, headache, flushing, 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 heartbeats. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE VERAPAMIL HCL:
VERAPAMIL HCL: The capsule form of VERAPAMIL HCL may be taken without regard to meals. VERAPAMIL HCL must be taken as directed to prevent chest pain. It is not effective if taken only when chest pain occurs. Do not stop taking VERAPAMIL HCL 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.

VERAPAMIL HCL USES:
VERAPAMIL HCL 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 high blood pressure.

OTHER USES OF VERAPAMIL HCL:
VERAPAMIL HCL may also be used to help prevent chest pain (angina) or to treat irregular heartbeats.

VERAPAMIL HCL PRECAUTIONS:
Before using VERAPAMIL HCL, 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 VERAPAMIL HCL is used in the elderly. VERAPAMIL HCL should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. VERAPAMIL HCL 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.

VERAPAMIL HCL DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of: anticoagulants ("blood thinners"), beta-blockers, timolol ophthalmic, digoxin, disopyramide, high blood pressure medication, quinidine, carbamazepine, rifampin, cimetidine, lithium, flecainide, cyclosporine. 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.

VERAPAMIL HCL 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.

VERAPAMIL HCL NOTES:
Do not share VERAPAMIL HCL with others.

MISSED VERAPAMIL HCL 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.

VERAPAMIL HCL 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.