CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKING AGENTS |
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CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKING AGENTS
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Adalat
Calan
Calan SR
Cardizem
DILTIAZEM
Isoptin
Isoptin SR
NIFEDIPINE
Procardia
VERAPAMIL
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? No
Drug class: Calcium-channel blocker, antiarrhythmic,
antianginal
USES
Prevents angina attacks.
Treats Reynaud's disease.
Treats high blood pressure.
Treats spasm of the esophagus.
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Capsule or extended-release tablet -- Swallow with liquid.
When to take:
At the same times each day 1 hour before or 2 hours after
eating.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2
hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Reduces work that heart must perform.
Reduces normal artery pressure.
Increases oxygen to heart muscle.
Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Unusually fast or unusually slow heartbeat, loss of
consciousness, cardiac arrest.
WHAT TO DO:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
If the child is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to-
mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage
and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make the child
vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take the child to nearest
emergency facility.
See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
Tiredness, flushing, Continue. Tell doctor
swelling of feet, at next visit.
ankles and abdomen.
Infrequent:
Unusually fast or Discontinue. Call
unusually slow heart- doctor right away.
beat, wheezing, cough,
shortness of breath.
Dizziness; numbness Continue. Call doctor
or tingling in hands when convenient.
or feet; swelling of
ankles, feet, legs;
difficult urination.
Nausea, Continue. Tell doctor
constipation. at next visit.
Rare:
Transient blindness, Discontinue. Seek
increased angina. emergency treatment.
Fainting, chest pain, Discontinue. Call
fever, rash, jaundice, doctor right away.
depression, psychosis.
Arthritis, hair loss. Continue. Call doctor
vivid dreams. when convenient.
Headache. Continue. Tell doctor at next
visit.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to calcium channel blockers.
You have very low blood pressure.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have kidney or liver disease.
If you have high blood pressure.
If you have heart disease other than coronary-artery disease.
Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or young children unless prescribed and
monitored by your physician.
Prolonged use:
No age-related problems expected.
Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Driving or hazardous activities:
Avoid if you feel dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
Learn to check your own pulse rate. If it drops to 50 beats per
minute or lower, don't take calcium channel blockers until you
consult your doctor.
Drug may lower blood-sugar level if daily dose is more than 60
mg.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
|
|
|
| ACE inhibitors: |
Possible excessive |
| captopril, enalapril, |
potassium in blood. |
| lisinopril (see |
Dosages may need |
| Drugs Glossary) |
adjustment. |
| Antiarrhythmics |
Possible increased |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect and toxicity of each drug. |
| Anticoagulants (oral, |
Possible increased |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
anticoagulant effect. |
| Anticonvulsants |
Increased |
| (hydantoin, see |
anticonvulsant effect. |
| Drugs Glossary) |
| Antihypertensives |
Dangerous blood- |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
pressure drop. Dosage may need |
| |
adjustment. |
| Beta-adrenergic |
Possible irregular |
| blockers (see |
heartbeat. May worsen |
| Drugs Glossary) |
congestive heart failure. |
| Calcium |
Possible decreased |
| (large doses) |
calcium channel blocker effect. |
| Carbamazepine |
May increase carbamazepine effect |
| |
and toxicity. |
| Cimetidine |
Possible increased calcium channel |
| |
blocker effect and toxicity. |
| Disopyramide |
May cause dangerously slow, fast or |
| |
irregular heartbeat. |
| Diuretics |
Dangerous blood- |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
pressure drop. |
| Lithium |
Possible decreased lithium effect. |
| Nitrates |
Reduced angina attacks. |
| Phenytoin |
Possible decreased calcium channel |
| |
blocker effect. |
| Quinidine |
Increased quinidine effect. |
| Rifampin |
Decreased calcium channel blocker |
| |
effect. |
| Theophylline |
May increase theophylline effect |
| |
and toxicity. |
| Tocainide |
Increased likelihood of adverse |
| |
reactions from either drug. |
| Vitamin D |
Decreased calcium |
| (large doses) |
channel blocker effect. |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
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|
|
| Tobacco: |
Possible rapid heartbeat. Avoid. |
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