Calan

Brand Names

Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM

What is Calan

Calan (verapamil hydrochloride) is a medicine that is beneficial for treating various conditions of the heart and blood vessels. Calan is related to a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. These medications block the movement of calcium into the muscle cells of the coronary arteries (the arteries supplying the heart) as well as the other arteries of the body. This medicine is used to treat and prevent angina caused by spasm of the coronary arteries that reduces the flow of blood to the heart. It works by relaxing the muscles, lining the arteries in the rest of the body lowers blood pressure and thereby reduces the pressure against which the heart must pump blood. As a result, the heart works less and requires less oxygen-carrying blood. It is available with a prescription. Calan is produced by Pfizer, Inc.

Side effects of Calan

Calan may cause such side effects as:

• constipation
• heartburn
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• headache

The following side effects of this medicine are considered to be serious:

• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• slow heartbeat
• fainting
• blurred vision
• rash
• nausea
• extreme tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• flu-like symptoms
• fever

Indication

Calan is used for the treatment of such conditions as:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Chest pain such as vasospastic angina (Prinzmetal's angina or variant angina), unstable angina, chronic stable angina (exertional angina)
• Certain irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), including chronic atrial flutter, atrial fibrillation, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)

Precautions

It is not recommended to take this medicine if you have:

• Heart disease, including congestive heart failure
• Sick sinus syndrome
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
• Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
• Low blood pressure
• Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• Myasthenia gravis
• Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes or preservatives

Dosage forms

Calan Dose for Blood Pressure

The recommended starting Calan dose for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) is Calan 80 mg 3 times per day. Your doctor may increase your dose if necessary or decrease your dose if serious side effects occur.

A lower starting dose (Calan 40 mg 3 times daily) may be recommended for certain people, such as smaller people, elderly people or those who have liver problems.

Calan Dose for Angina

Typical Calan dose for angina is 80-120 mg three times daily. However, a lower dose (Calan 40 mg three times daily) may be recommended for people who have liver problems, smaller people or elderly people.