Verapamil, Oral/Injection

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: calcium channel blocker

Generic and brand names: verapamil sustained release, oral; verapamil, injection; verapamil, oral; Calan; Calan SR; Covera HS; Isoptin; Isoptin Injection; Isoptin SR; Verelan; Verelan PM

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is called a calcium channel blocker. It is taken by mouth to treat:

• abnormal heartbeats
• high blood pressure
• chest pain

It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

This medicine is also given by injection (shots) to control rapid heartbeat and irregular heartbeat. Your health care provider will explain these uses.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to calcium channel blockers
• problem with the electrical system of the heart
• liver or kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant because it may harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How do I use it?

You must take this medicine every day to control your blood pressure or to avoid chest pains. Take this medicine regularly for as long as prescribed, even if you feel better. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember.

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it more often than prescribed.

This medicine may come in different forms. Do not break, crush, or chew extended-release forms of this medicine. Swallow the tablets or capsules whole, with plain water only. Your pharmacist can tell you if you have extended-release tablets or capsules.

If you need shots of this medicine, usually you will receive them in a hospital or clinic. Your health care provider may want you to have an electrocardiogram.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval. You may need to take this medicine for the rest of your life.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your health care provider if you continue to have chest pain after taking this medicine for a while.

Your health care provider will want to see you regularly to check your progress and may adjust your dosage.

This medicine may make you dizzy or faint, especially if you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.

This medicine may reduce or eliminate chest pain that you may have when you exercise or are very active. Ask your health care provider about a safe exercise program.

You may have headaches when you first start taking this medicine. Tell your health care provider if headaches continue or get worse.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Decreased urination; irregular heartbeat; swelling in your hands or feet; low blood pressure; severe dizziness; severe nausea.

Other: Flushing, weakness, lightheadedness, muscle cramps, nervousness, cough, wheezing, constipation, irritated gums, increased heart rate, headache, trouble sleeping, dizziness, hot flashes, dry mouth, diarrhea, nausea.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• aspirin
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Solfoton) and butabarbital (Butisol)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), esmolol (Brevibloc), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), bisoprolol (Zebeta), metoprolol (Lopressor), timolol (Blocadren), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal)
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• disopyramide (Norpace)
• flecainide (Tambocor)
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, Lithotabs)
• prazosin (Minipress)
• quinidine (Quinora, Quinidex, Quinaglute, Cardioquin)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifamate).
• simvastatin (Zocor)

Beta blockers are sometimes prescribed with this medicine. However, some people have heart problems when they take this medicine with a beta blocker. Be sure your health care provider knows if you are taking a beta blocker, especially if it was prescribed by another health care provider.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your health care provider approves.

Do not take this medicine with high-fat meals or with grapefruit juice because they can cause a dangerous increase in the effects of this medicine. Take this medicine with plain water.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.