Calan 240 mg

Calan (Verapamil) is a calcium channel blocker used to treat angina (chest pain) or high blood pressure. It is also used to treat and prevent a rapid heart rate.

Calan is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Calan relaxes (widens) blood vessels (veins and arteries), which makes it easier for the heart to pump and reduces its workload. Calan is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), to treat angina (chest pain), and to control some types of irregular heartbeats.

Chest pain (angina) occurs because insufficient oxygen-carrying blood is delivered to the muscles of the heart. Insufficient oxygen-carrying blood may be a result of blockage of blood flow in the coronary arteries due to coronary artery disease or spasm, or an increase in physical exertion that increases the workload of the heart and the demand by the heart for oxygen. Verapamil is used for the treatment and prevention of angina resulting from coronary artery disease and spasm as well as from exertion. Verapamil also is used in the treatment of high blood pressure. Verapamil slows electrical conduction of the electrical impulses through the heart and has been used to in treat abnormally fast heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, and in the prevention of recurrent episodes of rapid heart rhythm originating from the atria.

Dosage:
The usual oral dose is 180-480 mg/day. Verapamil may be given once, twice or three times daily depending on the formulation used. Verapamil can be taken with food.

    * Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Side effects:
Side effects from verapamil generally are mild and transient. It can cause dizziness, weakness or fainting because of a slow heart rate or low blood pressure. Other side effects include swelling of the lower extremities, rash, headache, and constipation. Verapamil also can cause mildly abnormal liver tests that usually return to normal with discontinuation of the medication.