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Verelan |
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What is Verelan and why is it prescribed? Verelan can be prescribed for several heart and blood pressure problems. Verelan is typically used only for high blood pressure. Verelan 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 Verelan regularly for it to be effective. Verelan does not cure high blood pressure but it keeps it under control. How should you take Verelan? Follow your doctors directions for taking Verelan. Verelan can be taken with or without food. Verelan and Verelan PM must be swallowed whole and should not be crushed, broken, or chewed. You may open Verelan capsules and sprinkle the pellets on a spoonful of cool applesauce. Swallow all of the mixture immediately, and then drink a glass of cool water. Try not to miss any doses. If Verelan is not taken regularly, your condition can get worse. Check with your doctor before you stop taking Verelan, 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 Verelan at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Are there any Verelan side effects? Verelan side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Verelan 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 Verelan 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 Verelan? If Verelan 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 Verelan 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 Verelan? Verelan 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. Verelan 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 Verelan together with other heart drugs known as beta blockers. If you have a heart condition, liver disease, kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, or Duchenne's dystrophy, make certain your doctor knows about it. Verelan should be used with caution. |
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