Norvasc

Indications:

Verapamil,Isoptin, is used to treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and high blood pressure. It relaxes your blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart to control chest pain (angina). If taken regularly, verapamil controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may give you a different medication to take when you have chest pain.

.Usage:

Verapamil,Isoptin, comes as a regular tablet and as an extended-release (long-acting) tablet and capsule to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken three times a day. The extended-release tablet and capsule are usually taken one or two times a day and should be swallowed whole. Do not chew, divide, or crush the extended-release tablet or capsule. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take verapamil exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Verapamil controls arrhythmias, high blood pressure, and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them. Continue to take verapamil even if you feel well. Do not stop taking verapamil without talking to your doctor.

special precautions:

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to verapamil or any other drugs.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially aspirin, carbamazepine (Tegretol); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); fentanyl (Duragesic); heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), flecainide (Tambocor), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), diuretics ('water pills'), or any other blood pressure lowering medication; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications to treat depression; medications to treat glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye); phenobarbital; rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane); theophylline (Theo-Dur); and vitamins.
Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease, muscular dystrophy, or gastrointestinal obstruction (strictures).
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking verapamil, Inform your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking verapamil.
you should know that verapamil may increase the effects of alcohol and make them last longer.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Verapamil may cause an upset stomach. Take verapamil with food or milk.

side effects:

Although side effects from verapamil are not common, they can occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or long lasting:

constipation
dizziness or lightheadedness
headache
upset stomach
heartburn
excessive tiredness
flushing (feeling of warmth)
slow heartbeat
vivid, unusual dreams
If you experience any of the following symptoms, Inform your doctor immediately:

swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
difficulty breathing or swallowing
fainting
rash
yellowing of the skin or eyes
fever
increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)