Calan (Verapamil) is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause complications like stroke, heart attack, and kidney problems if left untreated. Verapamil is also used to treat angina and certain heart rhythm disorders. The drug helps to lower heart rate, increasing your ability to exercise. The active ingredient in Calan is Verapamil. Verapamil belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of the heart and blood vessels to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.
Manufacturer Information
We currently offer the brand Calan from New Zealand manufactured by BGP and Australia manufactured by Abbott. The generic Verapamil is available from Canada by a different manufacturer.
Get medical help immediately if you have any of these signs or an allergic reaction while taking Calan. The most common side effects of Calan may include the following:
• Constipation;
• Dizziness;
• Headache
Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the severe side effects, including:
• Light-headedness;
• Signs of liver problems, including appetite loss, tiredness, upper stomach pain, clay-colored stools;
• Signs of lung problems, including anxiety, sweating, pale skin, and breathing difficulties
These are not all of the side effects of Calan. Always contact your doctor if you notice any unusual symptoms.
You should not take Calan if you are allergic to Verapamil or any ingredient in Calan. Before you start using this medication, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you:
• Are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed;
• Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant;
• Have a nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
• Have a slow heartbeat that has caused you to faint;
• Have kidney disease;
• Have liver disease;
• Have low blood pressure;
• Have severe heart failure
Tell your doctor about all your medications, including prescription, OTC, herbal supplements, and vitamins. There may be drug interactions between Calan and aspirin, lithium, St. John’s wort, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, digoxin, etc. Avoid atazanavir, labetalol, pravastatin, prazosin, isoniazid, carbamazepine, or phenytoin with Calan. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is unknown if Calan will harm a fetus. High blood pressure in pregnancy may cause complications for both mother and child. Verapamil should only be used in pregnancy if the benefits outweigh the risks. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Verapamil passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Take Calan precisely as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the Calan tablet whole with water. Do not crush, chew, or break the tablet. Keep using this medication even if you feel well. Stopping Calan suddenly may make your condition worse. Calan may be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program, including exercise, diet, and other medications. This drug may impair your thinking and reactions. Avoid driving or activities that require you to be alert until you know how Calan affects you. Calan may cause dizziness. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position. Avoid alcohol when taking this drug. Alcohol can lower your blood pressure and increase the side effects of Verapamil. Avoid taking grapefruit or grapefruit juice with this drug. Store at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture.