Calan™ / Calan SR™

[Verapamil HCl]

Calan

Description / Properties

Verapamil-based medications can be prescribed for several heart and blood pressure problems. The fast-acting brand Calan is taken for angina (chest pain due to clogged cardiac arteries), as well as irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure. The longer-acting Calan SR is typically used only for high blood pressure.

Indications

Calan [verapamil] is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels. Calan is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders.

Drug Interactions

If Calan is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Calan with the following:

ACE inhibitors, Beta-blockers, Vasodilators, other high blood pressure drugs, Alcohol, Aspirin, Amiodarone, Carbamazepine, Chloroquine, Cimetidine, Cyclosporine, Dantrolene, Digitalis, Disopyramide, Diuretics, Erythromycin, Flecainide, Glipizide, Grapefruit juice, Imipramine, Lithium, Nitrates, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Quinidine, Rifampin, Ritonavir, Theophylline.

Warning and Precautions

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 (the most common type of muscular dystrophy), make certain your doctor knows about it. Calan should be used with caution. If you are taking Covera-HS and you have a narrowing in your stomach or intestines, be sure your doctor was aware of it when the drug was prescribed.

Dosage

Calan is available in 40mg, 80mg strengths.
Calan SR is available in 240mg sustained release strength.

Presentations Available

Available as film-coated tablets.

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