PrescriptionGiant is a FREE prescription savings program that can save you up to 75% on your prescriptions with or without insurance!

Calan (Generic Verapamil)

Actual product appearance may differ slightly.

Click the CARD below to print or take a screenshot on your mobile phone or tablet. There is no need to download another app!

If you would like to personalize your card enter your full name in the member name field below the card at this link and click the Update button.


Why is this medication prescribed?

Verapamil is used to manage angina and treat high blood pressure (chest pain). To prevent and cure irregular heartbeats, the immediate-release tablets can be taken on their own or in combination with other medicines. Verapamil belongs to the group of drugs known as calcium-channel blockers. In order to reduce the heart’s workload, it operates by relaxing the blood arteries. Moreover, it enhances the heart’s blood and oxygen flow while decreasing electrical activity to regulate heart rate.

High blood pressure is a common illness that, if left untreated, can harm the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke, renal failure, eyesight loss, and other issues may result from damage to these organs. Making lifestyle modifications will help you control your blood pressure in addition to taking medication. These adjustments include quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a diet low in fat and salt, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

How should this medicine be used?

Verapamil is a medication that can be taken orally as a tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, or an extended-release (long-acting) capsule. The typical dosage for the standard tablet is three to four times per day. It is typical to take the extended-release pills and capsules once or twice a day. Take verapamil every day at around the same time(s). Certain verapamil medications need to be taken in the morning, while others are best taken at night. What time of day is best for you to take your medication? Consult your doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Provide verapamil as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

The extended-release pills and capsules should be taken whole. Avoid chewing or crushing them. Given that the directions differ depending on the product, ask your pharmacist if you can divide the tablets in half.

You can gently open the extended-release capsule and pour the entire contents into a spoonful of applesauce if you are unable to swallow them. It should not be heated, and the applesauce should be soft enough to be ingested without chewing. Drink a glass of lukewarm water after swallowing the applesauce without chewing to ensure that all of the medication has been absorbed. Never keep the combination on hand for later usage.

Verapamil will likely be prescribed to you at a low dosage by your doctor, who will then likely progressively raise it.

Verapamil regulates angina, hypertension, and arrhythmias but does not treat them. Verapamil should be taken even if you feel fine. Without first consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking verapamil.

Other uses for this medicine

Verapamil is occasionally used to treat several additional cardiac issues. The dangers of using this drug for your illness should be discussed with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this drug for any other conditions.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking verapamil,

  • If you have an allergy to verapamil, any other drugs, or any of the substances in verapamil, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
  • Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements you are currently taking or intend to take. Incorporate any of the following: aspirin; antifungals such itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral); alpha blockers like prazosin (Minipress); beta blockers like nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), propranolol (Inderal, Innopran, in Inderide), and timolol (Blocadren, in Timolide); metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol); and atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), digoxin (Lanoxin), disopyramide (Norpace), diuretics (often known as “water pills”), cimetidine (Tagamet), clarithromycin (Biaxin, in Prevpac), carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol); erythromycin (E.E.S., Eryc, Erythrocin); flecainide; some HIV protease inhibitors such indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); quinidine (in Nuedexta); lithium (Lithobid); drugs for treating high blood pressure; nefazodone; phenobarbital; telithromycin (Ketek); both theophylline and (Theochron, Theolair, Uniphyl). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with verapamil.
  • Please let your doctor know if you are taking any herbal supplements, especially St. John’s wort.
  • Inform your doctor if you have or have had had heart failure, liver disease, renal illness, muscular dystrophy (an inherited disorder that gradually weakens muscles), myasthenia gravis, or any other condition that causes food to go through your digestive tract more slowly (condition that causes certain muscles to weaken).
  • Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking verapamil.
  • You should let your doctor or dentist know if you are taking verapamil if you are undergoing surgery, including dental surgery.
  • If you plan to consume alcohol while taking verapamil, see your doctor first. Verapamil may make the negative effects of alcohol more pronounced and persistent.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

If you plan to consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking this medicine, consult your doctor.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Verapamil could have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

  • Constipation
  • Heartburn
  • Feeling unsteady or lightheaded
  • Headache

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Get emergency medical care if you encounter any of the following symptoms, or call your doctor right away:

  • Hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs swelling
  • Difficulties swallowing or breathing
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Fainting
  • Fuzzy vision
  • Rash
  • Nausea
  • Extreme exhaustion
  • Unexpected bruising or bleeding
  • Energy deficit
  • Appetite loss
  • Top right portion of my stomach hurts
  • Skin or eyes becoming yellow
  • Symptoms of the flu
  • Fever

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

In case of emergency/overdose

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

  • Dizziness
  • Fuzzy vision
  • Irregular, sluggish, or rapid heartbeat
  • Seizures
  • Confusion
  • Breathing or swallowing challenges

What other information should I know?

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. You should have your blood pressure monitored frequently to see how verapamil affects you. In order to monitor your body’s reaction to verapamil, your doctor may additionally request specific lab tests.

You might see anything that resembles a pill in your stool if you’re taking specific extended-release tablets (Covera HS). The fact that the tablet is empty does not imply that you did not take the whole prescribed amount of medication.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.

Brand names

  • Calan®
  • Calan® SR
  • Covera® HS
  • Isoptin®
  • Verelan®
  • Verelan® PM
Copyright © 2023 PrescriptionGiant.com