Calan (Verapamil)

Description

Calan is a brand name for verapamil HCl, a calcium ion influx inhibitor, used in the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain) and irregular rhythm of the heart. Calan is available by physician prescription.

Drug Information

Verapamil HCl is a slow-channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist. By blocking calcium channels, verapamil HCl relaxes the muscles of heart and blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely, thus easing high blood pressure. Relaxing heart muscles also relieves chest pain in patients suffering from angina. Verapamil can also control the heart rate of patients suffering from faster or irregular heartbeats. Relieving angina and controlling heartbeat allows certain patients to exercise without undesirable effects.

 Calan is sometimes used for treating conditions of the heart such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

 Calan is available as film-coated tablets in 40, 80 and 120 milligrams of the active ingredient verapamil HCl.

Inactive ingredients of Calan includes corn starch, lactose, gelatin, talc, hypromellose, iron oxide colorant, titanium dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and polyethylene glycol.

Dosage

Calan dosage will vary as per physician recommendation and the severity of the condition. Calan is administered orally, either with or without food.

Calan is commonly prescribed to be taken three or four times per day. It’s recommended to take Calan the same time each day without missing a dose.

It might take more than a week for effects of Calan against hypertension to show.
Patients taking Calan for angina should take regular doses as prescribed, instead of only when chest pain occurs, for the drug to be effective.

Do not stop taking Calan suddenly. It could potentially worsen the condition. Calan should be gradually decreased.
Stick to the prescribed dosage. An overdose of verapamil HCl can be fatal. Contact emergency medical care immediately if an overdose is suspected.

Warnings and Precautions

 Do not take Calan if allergic to verapamil HCl or any other inactive ingredient of the drug.

 Consult a physician about taking Calan if pregnant or breastfeeding.

 Patients should not take verapamil HCl with serious heart conditions such as severe heart failure, heartbeats slow enough to faint, heart rhythm disorders of the atrium, sick sinus syndrome, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome, Wolff-

 Parkinson-White syndrome or AV block (without pacemaker).

 Calan may not be safe for patients with liver disease, low blood pressure, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, myasthenia gravis, muscular dystrophy or other similar neuromuscular disorders.

 It’s recommended to regularly check blood pressure when being treated with Calan.

Side Effects

Calan and verapamil HCl could potentially cause one or more of the following side effects:

 Skin rashes, blistering or peeling
 Restless muscle movements above neck
 Swelling
 Lightheadedness or feeling like about to faint
 Fast or slow heartbeats
 Fever
 Sore throats
 Nausea
 Stomachache
 Headache
 Dizziness or jaundice
 Constipation
 Feeling sleepy or tired
 Fatigue
 Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
 Rapid weight gain

Side effects other than mentioned above could occur.

Immediately consult a physician if side effects continue to persist or worsen over time.