Verapamil

Generic Name : Verapamil

TradeName : Trinicalm, Vasopten

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Verapamil is used to control irregular heartbeats, to control or relieve heart pain i.e., angina pectoris, and to lower blood pressure.

When it is to be taken : Verapamil usually is taken every six or eight hours or once a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Verapamil must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor.

How it should be taken : Verapamil comes in the form of regular tablets and sustained-release (long-acting) tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Your doctor may ask you to check your heart rate daily while taking this medication and will tell you how fast it should be. Ask your doctor to teach you how to check your pulse. If your pulse is slower than it should be, contact your doctor about taking verapamil that day.
2. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your doctor can determine your response to the medication and adjust your dosage if necessary. You may have electrocardiogram and liver function tests periodically.
3. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose near the time you are scheduled to take the next one, omit the missed dose and take only the scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Constipation, nausea, abdominal discomfort, headache, fatigue. If these effects are severe or persist, contact your doctor.
2. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Get up slowly.
3. Difficulty breathing, slow irregular heartbeat, swelling of feet or lower legs, sudden weight gain. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Before taking verapamil, tell your doctor if your are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have heart, liver, kidney disease.
2. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially anticoagulants, beta blockers, timolol ophthalmic, digoxin, disopyramide, high blood pressure medication, quinidine, carbamazepine, rifampin, cimetidine, lithium, flecainide, and cyclosporine.
3. Ask your doctor for advice on the cousumption of alcoholic beverages.
4. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.