Pronunciation: ver-AP-a-mil
Generic Name: Verapamil
Brand Name: Verelan
Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules is used for:
Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure.
Do NOT use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules
- you have certain heart problems (eg, left ventricular dysfunction, sick sinus syndrome, second- or third-degree heart block and do not have a pacemaker), very low blood pressure, or moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF)
- you have atrial fibrillation or flutter and a pre-excitation syndrome (extra conduction pathway in the heart), such as Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome or Lown-Ganong-Levine (LGL) syndrome
- you have shock caused by serious heart problems
- you are taking dofetilide, or you have taken disopyramide within the past 48 hours
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules:
Some medical conditions may interact with Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have heart failure or a recent heart attack with lung congestion, low blood pressure, or heart problems (eg, a very slow heart rate, heart block, heart valve disease)
- if you have kidney or liver problems, muscular dystrophy, or a neuromuscular disease
- if you are taking another blood pressure medicine or you are being treated for cancer
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), clonidine, disopyramide, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), or ritonavir because they may increase the risk of Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules's side effects
- Phenobarbital, rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules's effectiveness
- Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aspirin, carbamazepine, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, dofetilide, doxorubicin, dronedarone, eletriptan, erythromycin, everolimus, flecainide, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), lithium, narcotic pain relievers (eg, fetanyl), paclitaxel, quinazolines (eg, terzosin), quinidine, ranolazine, theophyllines, or tolvaptan because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules:
Use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules by mouth with or without food.
- Check with your doctor before you eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules.
- Swallow Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- If you cannot swallow the capsule whole, you may open it and sprinkle the contents over a spoonful of applesauce. Mix the medicine with the applesauce and swallow the mixture right away, followed by a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine before swallowing. Do not store the mixture for future use.
- Taking Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
- If you miss a dose of Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules.
Important safety information:
- Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, complete blood cell counts, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules while you are pregnant. Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation; dizziness; fatigue; headache; lightheadedness; nausea.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; lightheadedness, especially when standing; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; swelling of the feet or hands; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, severe or persistent stomach pain, fever, general feeling of being unwell); unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Verapamil side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased mental status; dizziness; loss of consciousness; shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat.
Proper storage of Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules:
Store Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Protect from heat, light, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Verapamil Sustained-Release Pellet-Filled Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Verapamil resources
- Verapamil Side Effects (in more detail)
- Verapamil Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Verapamil Drug Interactions
- Verapamil Support Group
- 29 Reviews for Verapamil - Add your own review/rating
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