Isoptin (Verapamil)

General information

Isoptin is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Isoptin is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This drug may also be used to prevent chest pain (angina), to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Isoptin is also used to control your heart rate if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation). It helps to lower the heart rate, helping you to feel more comfortable.

Directions

Take Isoptin exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually 3 or 4 times daily. Take it at the same times each day. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. This drug should not be used to treat chest pain when it occurs.

Precautions

Before taking Isoptin you should talk with your doctor if you have second- or third-degree atrioventricular block, sick sinus syndrome unless you have a pacemaker, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome, nerve-muscle disorder (muscular dystrophy), any allergies. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects.

Contraindications

You should not take Isoptin if you are allergic to verapamil or any ingredients of this medication, or if you have a very low heart rate, certain types of abnormal heart rhythms, including atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation and an accessory bypass tract, severe low blood pressure, second- or third-degree heart block or sick sinus syndrome.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have dizziness, constipation, nausea, headache, tiredness, difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, fast or slow heartbeats, fever, sore throat, rapid weight gain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), loss of appetite, dark urine. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: HIV/AIDS medicines (ritonavir, indinavir, atazanavir, delavirdine), heart rhythm medications (quinidine, flecainide, amiodarone), beta-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol, atenolol), antifungal medications (voriconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole), antibiotics (rifampin, clarithromycin, telithromycin, erythromycin), sedatives (triazolam, midazolam), theophylline, barbiturates (butalbital, phenobarbital, pentobarbital, amobarbital), lithium, digoxin, cyclosporine, buspirone. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.