Isoptin SR (Verapamil Hydrochloride Tablet) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

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High blood pressure facts

High blood pressure (hypertension) is designated as either essential (primary) hypertension or secondary hypertension and is defined as a consistently elevated blood pressure exceeding 140/90 mm Hg.
High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it often causes no symptoms for many years, even decades, until it finally damages certain critical organs.
Poorly controlled high blood pressure ultimately can cause damage to blood vessels in the eye, thickening of the heart muscle and heart attacks, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), kidney failure, and strokes.
Most antihypertensive medications can be used alone or in combination. Some are used only in combination. Some are preferred over others in certain specific medical situations. And some are not to be used (contraindicated) in other situations.
Several classes of antihypertensive medications are available, including ACE i...

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Isoptin SR Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking verapamil?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to verapamil, or if you have:

certain serious heart conditions, especially "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
low blood pressure; or
if you have recently had a heart attack.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take verapamil, tell your doctor if you have:

kidney disease;
liver disease;
congestive heart failure; or
a nerve-muscle disorder such as muscular dystrophy.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether verapamil is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Verapamil can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take verapamil?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a controlled-delivery or extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you have trouble swallowing a verapamil capsule whole, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

It is important to use verapamil regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

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

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.

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.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using verapamil.

Store verapamil at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

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