Verapamil (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
m (Protected "Verapamil (patient information)": Robot: Protecting all pages from category Drug ([edit=sysop] (indefinite) [move=sysop] (indefinite)))
 
m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-{{SIB}} +, -{{EH}} +, -{{EJ}} +, -{{Editor Help}} +, -{{Editor Join}} +))
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{EH}}
 
{{drug header}}
{{drug header}}
{{SI}}
{{SI}}

Latest revision as of 17:21, 20 August 2012

Template:Drug header

WikiDoc Resources for Verapamil (patient information)

Articles

Most recent articles on Verapamil (patient information)

Most cited articles on Verapamil (patient information)

Review articles on Verapamil (patient information)

Articles on Verapamil (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Verapamil (patient information)

Images of Verapamil (patient information)

Photos of Verapamil (patient information)

Podcasts & MP3s on Verapamil (patient information)

Videos on Verapamil (patient information)

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Verapamil (patient information)

Bandolier on Verapamil (patient information)

TRIP on Verapamil (patient information)

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Verapamil (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Verapamil (patient information)

Clinical Trials on Verapamil (patient information) at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Verapamil (patient information)

NICE Guidance on Verapamil (patient information)

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Verapamil (patient information)

CDC on Verapamil (patient information)

Books

Books on Verapamil (patient information)

News

Verapamil (patient information) in the news

Be alerted to news on Verapamil (patient information)

News trends on Verapamil (patient information)

Commentary

Blogs on Verapamil (patient information)

Definitions

Definitions of Verapamil (patient information)

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Verapamil (patient information)

Discussion groups on Verapamil (patient information)

Patient Handouts on Verapamil (patient information)

Directions to Hospitals Treating Verapamil (patient information)

Risk calculators and risk factors for Verapamil (patient information)

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Verapamil (patient information)

Causes & Risk Factors for Verapamil (patient information)

Diagnostic studies for Verapamil (patient information)

Treatment of Verapamil (patient information)

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Verapamil (patient information)

International

Verapamil (patient information) en Espanol

Verapamil (patient information) en Francais

Business

Verapamil (patient information) in the Marketplace

Patents on Verapamil (patient information)

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Verapamil (patient information)

Why this medication is prescribed

Verapamil is used to treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and high blood pressure. It relaxes your blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart to control chest pain (angina). If taken regularly, verapamil controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may give you a different medication to take when you have chest pain.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How this medication should be used

Verapamil comes as a regular tablet and as an extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken three times a day. The extended-release tablet and capsule are usually taken one or two times a day and should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the extended-release tablet or capsule. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take verapamil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Verapamil controls arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them. Continue to take verapamil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking verapamil without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

Verapamil is also used sometimes to treat migraine headaches and cardiomyopathy. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Special precautions

Before taking verapamil:

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to verapamil or any other drugs.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin, carbamazepine (Tegretol); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); fentanyl (Duragesic); heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), flecainide (Tambocor), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), diuretics ('water pills'), or any other blood pressure lowering medication; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications to treat depression; medications to treat glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye); phenobarbital; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); theophylline (Theo-Dur); and vitamins.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease, muscular dystrophy, or gastrointestinal obstruction (strictures).
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking verapamil, call your doctor.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking verapamil.
  • you should know that verapamil may increase the effects of alcohol and make them last longer.

Special dietary instructions

Verapamil may cause an upset stomach. Take verapamil with food or milk.

Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

What to do if you forget a dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects

Minor Side Effects

Verapamil may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • constipation
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • headache
  • upset stomach
  • heartburn
  • excessive tiredness
  • flushing (feeling of warmth)
  • slow heartbeat
  • vivid, unusual dreams

Severe Side Effects

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • fainting
  • rash
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • fever
  • increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storage conditions needed for this medication

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to verapamil.

Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse (heart rate) daily and will tell you how fast it should be. If your pulse is slower than it should be, call your doctor for directions on taking verapamil that day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to teach you how to check your pulse.

The extended-release tablet (Covera) does not dissolve in the stomach after being swallowed. It slowly releases medicine as it passes through the small intestines. It is not unusual to see the tablet shell eliminated in the stool.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

  • Calan®
  • Calan® SR Caplets®
  • Covera-HS®
  • Isoptin® SR
  • Verelan®
  • Verelan® PM

Brand names of combination products

  • Tarka® containing Verapamil Hydrochloride and Trandolapril

Template:WH Template:WikiDoc Sources