home > drugs a-z list > calan (verapamil hcl) drug center > calan (verapamil hcl) drug - patient side effects and images

Recommended Topic Related To:

Calan

What are calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and how do they work?

Calcium channel blockers are drugs that block the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and arteries.

  • The entry of calcium is critical for the conduction of the electrical signal that passes from muscle cell to muscle cell of the heart, and signals the cells to contract.
  • It also is necessary in order for the muscle cells to contract and thereby pump blood.
  • In the arteries, the entry of calcium into muscle cells causes contraction of the cells and thereby dilates (widens) the arteries.
  • Thus, by blocking the entry of calcium, calcium channel blockers reduce electrical conduction within the heart, decrease the force of contraction (work) of the muscle cells, and dilate arteries.
  • Dilation of the arteries reduces blood pressure and thereby the effort the heart must exert to pump blood.
  • Combined with decr...

Calan

font size

Calan Patient Information Including Side Effects

Brand Names: Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM

Generic Name: verapamil (oral) (Pronunciation: ver AP a mil)

What is verapamil (Calan)?

Verapamil is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Verapamil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders.

Verapamil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Calan 40 mg

round, pink, imprinted with 40, CALAN

Calan 80 mg

oval, peach, imprinted with 80, CALAN

Calan SR 120 mg

oval, lavender, imprinted with CALAN, SR120

Calan SR 180 mg

oval, pink, imprinted with CALAN, SR180

Calan SR 240 mg

oblong, green, imprinted with CALAN, SR 240

Covera HS 180 mg

round, pink, imprinted with COVERA-HS 2011

Covera HS 240 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with COVERA-HS 2021

Isoptin SR 180 mg

elliptical, pink, imprinted with ISOPTIN SR, 180 MG

Verapamil 120 mg ER-IVA

round, beige, imprinted with 120, LOGO

Verapamil 120 mg ER-MYL

green/white, imprinted with MYLAN 6320

Verapamil 120 mg SR-WAT

yellow, imprinted with 60274, 120mg

Verapamil 120 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 772

Verapamil 120 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 345

Verapamil 180 mg ER-IVA

oblong, orange, imprinted with 73 01, LOGO

Verapamil 180 mg ER-MYL

dark green/light green, imprinted with MYLAN 6380

Verapamil 180 mg ER-SCH

oblong, orange, imprinted with LOGO, 7301

Verapamil 240 mg ER-IVA

oblong, white, imprinted with 73 00, LOGO

Verapamil 240 mg ER-MYL

green, imprinted with MYLAN 6440

Verapamil 40 mg-WAT

round, orange, imprinted with WATSON 404

Verapamil 80 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 512

Verapamil 80 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 343

Verapamil ER 180 mg-MYL

Verapamil ER 240 mg-MYL

oblong, blue, imprinted with M 411

Verapamil SR 180 mg-WAT

gray/yellow, imprinted with 60274, 180 mg

Verapamil SR 240 mg-WAT

blue/yellow, imprinted with 60274, 240 mg

Verapamil SR 360 mg-WAT

lavender/yellow, imprinted with 60274, 360 mg

What are the possible side effects of verapamil?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • fast or slow heartbeats;
  • feeling like you might pass out;
  • fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
  • feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
  • swelling, rapid weight gain; or
  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

  • constipation, nausea;
  • skin rash or itching;
  • dizziness, headache, tired feeling; or
  • warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about verapamil?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to verapamil or if you have certain serious heart conditions such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), low blood pressure, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Before taking verapamil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, congestive heart failure, or a nerve-muscle disorder such as muscular dystrophy.

Verapamil can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking verapamil suddenly, your condition may become worse.

Verapamil may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Related Drug Centers

Calan - User Reviews

Calan User Reviews

Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.

Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Calan sorted by most helpful. Patient Discussions FAQs

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Heart Health

Get the latest treatment options.