Calan

Generic Name: verapamil (Oral route)

ver-AP-a-mil

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Calan


• Calan SR


• Covera-HS


• Isoptin SR


• Verelan


• Verelan PM

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Extended Release


• Capsule, Extended Release


• Tablet


• Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR


• Capsule, Extended Release, 24 HR

Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Calcium Channel Blocker

Chemical Class: Phenylalkylamine

Uses For Calan

Verapamil is used alone or together with other medicines to treat heart rhythm problems, severe chest pain (angina), or high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled .

Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker. It works by affecting the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, verapamil relaxes blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using Calan

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of verapamil in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of verapamil in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart, liver, or kidney problems which may require an adjustment of dose in patients receiving verapamil .

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Dofetilide

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acebutolol


• Adenosine


• Alprenolol


• Amiodarone


• Atazanavir


• Atenolol


• Atorvastatin


• Betaxolol


• Bevantolol


• Bisoprolol


• Bucindolol


• Bupivacaine


• Carteolol


• Carvedilol


• Celiprolol


• Clonidine


• Clozapine


• Colchicine


• Crizotinib


• Dantrolene


• Digoxin


• Dilevalol


• Dronedarone


• Eplerenone


• Erythromycin


• Esmolol


• Everolimus


• Labetalol


• Levobunolol


• Lovastatin


• Mepindolol


• Mepivacaine


• Metipranolol


• Metoprolol


• Nadolol


• Nebivolol


• Oxprenolol


• Penbutolol


• Pindolol


• Propranolol


• Ranolazine


• Simvastatin


• Sotalol


• Talinolol


• Tertatolol


• Timolol


• Tizanidine


• Tolvaptan

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aspirin


• Buspirone


• Carbamazepine


• Clarithromycin


• Cyclosporine


• Dalfopristin


• Digitoxin


• Dutasteride


• Flecainide


• Fosphenytoin


• Indinavir


• Itraconazole


• Lithium


• Midazolam


• Nevirapine


• Oxcarbazepine


• Pancuronium


• Phenobarbital


• Phenytoin


• Quinidine


• Quinupristin


• Rifapentine


• Ritonavir


• Sirolimus


• St John's Wort


• Tedisamil


• Telithromycin


• Tubocurarine


• Vecuronium

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Ethanol


• Grapefruit Juice

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Congestive heart failure or


• Muscle disease (e.g., Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis) or


• Pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse .

• Heart block (type of abnormal heart rhythm) or


• Heart problems (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome) or


• Low blood pressure (hypotension) or


• Sick sinus syndrome (heart rhythm problem, can use if have a pacemaker that works properly)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions .

• Kidney problems or


• Liver problems—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body .

Proper Use of verapamil

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain verapamil. It may not be specific to Calan. Please read with care.

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet .

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well .

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease .

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew it. It is best to take this medicine with food .

If you cannot swallow the verapamil extended-release capsules, you may open it and sprinkle the pellets contained in the capsule on one tablespoon of applesauce. This mixture must be swallowed immediately with a glass of cool water. The applesauce should not be hot and should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Do not chew or crush the pellets .

If you are taking the extended-release tablets, you may sometimes notice what looks like a tablet in your stool. This is the empty tablet shell that is left after the medicine has been absorbed .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For chest pain:
  
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    
    • Adults—The usual dose is 80 to 120 milligrams (mg) three times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets, 24 hr):
    
    • Adults—At first, 180 milligrams (mg) once daily at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  


• For heart rhythm problems:
  
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    
    • Adults—The total usual dose is 240 to 480 milligrams (mg) divided in three or four equal doses per day.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  


• For high blood pressure:
  
  • For oral dosage form (tablets):
    
    • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) three times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
    
    • Adults—At first, 200 milligrams (mg) once daily at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
    
    • Adults—At first, 180 milligrams (mg) once daily in the morning. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  
  • For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets, 24 hr):
    
    • Adults—At first, 180 milligrams (mg) once daily at bedtime. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using Calan

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects .

Low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur while taking this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: blurred vision; confusion; severe dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly; sweating; or unusual tiredness or weakness .

While you are taking this medicine be careful to limit the amount of alcohol that you drink. Alcohol increases dizziness and drowsiness and also lowers blood pressure .

Calan Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

• Blue lips and fingernails


• blurred vision


• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings


• chest pain


• confusion


• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum


• difficult, fast, noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly


• increased sweating


• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting


• pale skin


• shortness of breath


• slow or irregular heartbeat


• sore throat


• sweating


• swelling in legs and ankles


• unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

• Chills


• cold sweats


• feeling of warmth


• redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)


• headache

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach


• belching


• difficulty in moving


• heartburn


• indigestion


• joint pain


• muscle aching or cramping


• muscle pains or stiffness


• nausea


• rash


• stomach discomfort, upset, or pain


• trouble sleeping


• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness


• swollen joints

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Calan side effects (in more detail)

The information contained in the Thomson Reuters Micromedex products as delivered by Drugs.com is intended as an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment. It is not a substitute for a medical exam, nor does it replace the need for services provided by medical professionals. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before taking any prescription or over the counter drugs (including any herbal medicines or supplements) or following any treatment or regimen. Only your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for you.

The use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products is at your sole risk. These products are provided "AS IS" and "as available" for use, without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Thomson Reuters Healthcare and Drugs.com make no representation or warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, usefulness or completeness of any of the information contained in the products. Additionally, THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE OPINIONS OR OTHER SERVICE OR DATA YOU MAY ACCESS, DOWNLOAD OR USE AS A RESULT OF USE OF THE THOMSON REUTERS HEALTHCARE PRODUCTS. ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED. Thomson Reuters Healthcare does not assume any responsibility or risk for your use of the Thomson Reuters Healthcare products.

More Calan resources

• Calan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Calan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Calan Drug Interactions
• Calan Support Group
• 2 Reviews for Calan - Add your own review/rating

• Calan Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Calan MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Calan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Verapamil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Calan SR Controlled-Release Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Calan SR Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Covera-HS Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Covera-HS Sustained-Release Tablets (Controlled Onset) MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Isoptin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Isoptin SR Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Verapamil Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Verelan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Verelan Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Verelan PM Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Verelan PM Sustained-Release Capsules Controlled Onset MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Calan with other medications

• Angina
• Arrhythmia
• Bipolar Disorder
• Cluster Headaches
• High Blood Pressure
• Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis
• Migraine Prevention
• Nocturnal Leg Cramps
• Supraventricular Tachycardia