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Calan |
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What is Calan and why is it prescribed? Calan is taken for angina, as well as irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure. Calan SR, is typically used only for high blood pressure. Calan is a type of medication called a calcium channel blocker. It eases the heart's workload by slowing down the passage of nerve impulses through it, and hence the contractions of the heart muscle. This improves blood flow through the heart and throughout the body, reduces blood pressure, corrects irregular heartbeat, and helps prevent angina pain. If you have high blood pressure, you must take Calan regularly for it to be effective. Calan does not cure high blood pressure but it keeps it under control. How should you take Calan? Follow your doctors directions for taking Calan. Calan can be taken with or without food. Calan SR should be taken with food. Calan SR must be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, broken, or chewed. Take this medication exactly as prescribed, even if you are feeling well. Try not to miss any doses. If the drug is not taken regularly, your condition can get worse. Check with your doctor before you stop taking this drug since a slow reduction in the dose may be required. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at the same time. Store Calan at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Are there any Calan side effects? Calan side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Calan side effects may include congestive heart failure, constipation, dizziness, fatigue, fluid retention, headache, low blood pressure, nausea, rash, shortness of breath, slow heartbeat, and upper respiratory infection. Less common or rare Calan side effects may include angina, blurred vision, breast development in males, bruising, chest pain, confusion, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive milk secretion, fainting, fatigue, fever and rash, flushing, hair loss, heart attack, hives, impotence, increased urination, indigestion, intestinal blockage, joint pain, light-headedness upon standing up, limping, loss of balance, muscle cramps, pounding heartbeat, rash, ringing in the ears, shakiness, skin peeling, sleepiness, spotty menstruation, sweating, tingling or pins and needles, and upset stomach. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Calan? If Calan is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Calan with ACE inhibitor-type blood pressure drugs (such as Capoten and Vasotec), Beta-blocker-type blood pressure drugs (such as Lopressor, Tenormin, and Inderal), Vasodilator-type blood pressure drugs (such as Loniten), Other high blood pressure drugs (such as Minipress), Alcohol, Aspirin, Amiodarone (Cordarone), Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Chloroquine (Aralen), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral), Dantrolene (Dantrium), Digitalis (Lanoxin), Disopyramide (Norpace), Diuretics (such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL), Erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, PCE), Flecainide (Tambocor), Glipizide (Glucotrol), Grapefruit juice, Imipramine (Tofranil), Lithium (Lithonate), Nitrates (such as Transderm Nitro and Isordil), Phenobarbital, Phenytoin (Dilantin), Quinidine (Quinidex), Rifampin (Rifadin), Ritonavir (Kaletra, Norvir), or Theophylline (Theo-Dur). Are there any special warnings about Calan? Calan can reduce or eliminate angina pain caused by exertion or exercise. Be sure to discuss with your doctor how much exertion is safe for you. Calan may cause your blood pressure to become too low. If you experience dizziness or light-headedness, notify your doctor. Congestive heart failure and fluid in the lungs have occurred in people taking Calan together with other heart drugs known as beta blockers. Make sure your doctor is aware of all medications you are taking. If you have a heart condition, liver disease, kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, or Duchenne's dystrophy, make certain your doctor knows about it. Calan should be used with caution. |
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