General Info: Uses and Effects

Calan Generic (Verapamil) is one of the drugs under calcium channel blockers, CCBs. Some of the drugs in this class include Diltiazem (Dilacor, Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc) and Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), among others. These medicines work by blocking calcium from moving into the muscle cells of the arteries in the body thereby helping arterial muscles to relax and enlarge, this leads to easy flow of blood.

Calan Verapamil is especially prescribed for treating chest pain, a condition medically, known as angina, that is caused when the coronary arteries contract, leading to reduced blood flow to the heart. When arterial muscles are relaxed, blood pressure drops allowing the heart to easily pump blood to different parts of the body with ease.

Contraindication: Important to Know

Before taking Calan Verapamil, you have to inform your doctor if you are allergic to the drug. Also, tell your doctor about other allergies for proper guidance on how to appropriately use the drug. Bear in mind that the drug may also contain some inactive ingredients that might cause allergic reactions. Always disclose if you suffer from any specific medical conditions as that will help the doctor make the most accurate prescription based on your condition.

Your medical history of disorders, such as kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure, particular nerve disorders, among other conditions, is important and must be disclosed during consultation with the doctor. Also note that this drug causes dizziness. Therefore, do not drive or operate complex machinery and other activities that require high levels of alertness. After taking the required dose, take some time for the drug to be fully absorbed into your body before undertaking attention-demanding activities.

During the Calan treatment, ensure you limit your consumption of alcohol. If you are scheduled for surgery, make it a point to inform your surgeon about your current treatment. You may be required to stop taking the medicine for a while. It is important to note that the drug's side effects are likely to be more pronounced in senior members of the society. Common side effects include swelling of the ankles and feet, and constipation, among others. If you are pregnant, only use this medication when deemed necessary but you must consult your doctor to understand the risks involved. It is possible for the drug to pass through breast milk, but it may not be harmful to your nursing baby, but keep your physician informed nevertheless.

Instructions on Taking

When taking Calan Generic, you must adhere to the instructions by the doctor. The dosage may be changed from time to time, especially during the onset of treatment depending on how you respond. Swallow the capsule in full without crushing or chewing it. In the event that you cannot swallow the whole drug, consult your physician and ask if it is safe to open it and sprinkle it on a spoon or mix with other liquids before swallowing. Do not keep the mixture for future use, and ensure you do away with the empty capsule immediately you have taken your dose.

For blood pressure treatment, you have to go for regular checkups to establish the effect of the drug on your pressure. The functioning of your liver and kidney may also need to be checked regularly just to ensure they are functioning properly. Sudden discontinuation of treatment is discouraged as it might worsen the condition. In case you are taking Verapamil to treat high blood pressure, continue taking this medication even if your condition is better. High blood pressure is not associated with any symptoms and you may be required to use the drug for life. This medicine works best with other remedies such regular exercises, proper dieting, among other medications. See to it that you follow your doctor's instructions throughout a treatment period.

Dosage

Generally, dosage is individualized based on a number of factors. However, the maximum daily dosage per day is pegged at 480mg. Note that the ultimate response to treatment may be delayed because the drug's half-life increases with the dosage. For conditions such as angina, a maximum daily dose of 120mg, three doses each of 40mg, may be recommended depending on the patient's response to the treatment.

What will happen if you miss your dose You can take the dose you missed as soon as you remember. However, if you remember almost the time for your next scheduled dose, it is advisable that you skip before resuming normal schedule. Attempts to compensate for missed dosage can result in an overdose; inform your doctor immediately that happens.

Side Effects

In the event that you experience the following symptoms after taking Calan Verapamil, consult your doctor immediately:

• Feeling as if you are about to pass out;
• Unnecessary weight gain;
• Breathing difficulties;
• Chest pain;
• Pale skin, lung problems and coughing;
• Jaundice (yellowing of skin);
• Loss of appetite;
• Constipation;
• Dark urine or reduced urination;
• Dizziness.

The severity of above side effects depends on a number of factors. Talk to your doctor about possible adverse effects and how best you can avoid then. Note that the list above might not capture all possible side effects. Find out ways through which you can minimize their occurrence from your pharmacist or general practitioner.

Interaction with Other Drugs

There are some drugs that interact with Calan Verapamil. The medicine is especially known to interact with drugs that can rise or lower its levels. To cushion yourself from such, you are encouraged to inform your doctor of all the medicines you are taking before commencing your treatment. Some of the common drugs known to interact with this medicine include:

• Aspirin, Lithium and Imatinib;
• High blood pressure drugs like Quinidine, Nicardipine, Flecainide, Digoxin, and Clonidine;
• Antibiotics like Telithromycin and Clarithromycin;
• Antifungals, such as Voriconazole, Posaconazole, Ketoconazole, and Itraconazole.

There might be some other drugs and substances that can cause allergic reactions or side effects not mentioned above. To reduce the risks of such from happening, you are encouraged to disclose all information about your medical history and drugs you are using to the doctor before you start using Calan Verapamil.