Isoptin (Verapamil)

Isoptin is used for treating high blood pressure. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Isoptin is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

Do not use Isoptin if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Isoptin;
• you have certain heart problems (eg, left-ventricular dysfunction, sick sinus syndrome, second- or third-degree heart block and do not have a pacemaker), very low blood pressure, or moderate to severe congestive heart failure;
• you have atrial fibrillation or flutter and a pre-excitation syndromes (extra conduction pathway in the heart), such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome (LGL);
• you have shock due to serious heart problems;
• you are taking dofetilide, eletriptan, erythromycin, or disopyramide.

• Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Isoptin before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, complete blood cell count, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Isoptin. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Isoptin with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Isoptin should not be used in children younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using while you are pregnant. Isoptin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Isoptin.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• constipation; dizziness; fatigue; general feeling of being unwell; headache; lightheadedness; nausea.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; dark urine; fever; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; swelling of feet or hands; unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Isoptin is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.