The medicine that help us: Verapamil. Verapamil: uses Verapamil is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure ( hypertension ) . Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Verapamil is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Verapamil may also affect heart rate. Verapamil: how to use Take Verapamil by mouth with or without food, usually once daily at bedtime or as directed by your doctor. Swallow capsules whole. Don't crush or chew capsules. Doing so can destroy long action of the drug and may increase side effects.
If we prefer, you may sprinkle entire contents of a capsule on a small amount of cool, soft applesauce just before taking. Swallow the mixture immediately. Don't chew mixture, and don't save mixture for future use.
Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with Verapamil unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, body size and response to therapy. If we have severe liver problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted.
Use Verapamil regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help we remember, take it at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking Verapamil even if we feel well. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take up to a week before full benefit of Verapamil takes effect.
Don't suddenly stop taking Verapamil without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Inform your doctor if your condition worsens ( e. g. , your routine blood pressure readings increase ) . Verapamil: other used This section contains uses of Verapamil that are not listed in approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Verapamil for a condition that's listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
Verapamil may also be used to treat chest pain ( angina ) , irregular heartbeat, certain other types of heart disease ( e. g. , hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ) , or for prevention of migraines.
If used for angina, Verapamil must be taken regularly to be effective. It shouldn't be used to treat angina attacks when they occur. Use other medications ( e. g. , sublingual nitroglycerin ) to relieve an angina attack as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Verapamil: side effects Dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue and constipation may occur as your body adjusts to medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If you become constipated while using Verapamil, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a stool softener.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Verapamil because he or she has judged that benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Verapamil don't have serious side effects.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:
A very serious allergic reaction to Verapamil is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Verapamil: precautions Before taking Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other calcium channel blockers ( e. g. , diltiazem, nifedipine ) ; or if we have any other allergies.
Verapamil shouldn't be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have:
Before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
Verapamil may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
Verapamil prolongs and intensifies the effects of alcohol in your system. Limit alcoholic beverages while using this medication.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Verapamil.
Verapamil should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.
Verapamil passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Verapamil is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Verapamil: interactions See also the How to Use section.
Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Verapamil shouldn't be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur while use Verapamil:
If we are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Verapamil.
Before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:
Verapamil also may affect how your body gets rid of some drugs ( e. g. , cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, eplerenone, erythromycin, quinidine, midazolam, triazolam, tizanidine, statins including simvastatin, certain anti-seizure drugs including carbamazepine ) .
Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction ) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate ( e. g. , pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen ) . Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products.
This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
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HHS 'Hectoring' ACOG To Change Opinion On Referrals By Physicians Opposed To Abortion, Opinion Piece Says
HHS " [a]t best " is " hectoring " the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to change its November 2007 opinion that calls on physicians to provide referrals for patients seeking abortions, emergency contraception or other procedures if they are opposed to providing the services themselves, columnist Lynn Harris writes in a Salon opinion piece ( Harris, Salon , 4/9 ) .
ACOG last month said it would re-evaluate opinion after criticism from HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt and some antiabortion physicians. Leavitt in March sent a letter to ACOG and the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology to challenge opinion. In his letter, Leavitt expressed " strong concern " that the ACOG opinion might endanger right of physicians to exercise their conscience rights. Leavitt said he is worried that antiabortion ob-gyns could be decertified for refusing to refer patients to other physicians willing to provide procedure. Leavitt added that health care organizations that require American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology certification could be in jeopardy of violating a federal law known as Weldon Amendment, which prohibits recipients of federal funds from discriminating against doctors who refuse to perform or refer for abortions. Leaders from ACOG and American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology responded to Leavitt, saying his interpretation of opinion was incorrect ( Daily Women's Health Policy Report , 4/8 ) .
According to Harris, it " would be one thing " if " agitation " over opinion had come from " inside " ACOG and American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, but instead criticism is coming from an agency with a " political agenda. " Harris writes she is " not convinced a refusal " to refer patients for services " should not result in decertification, " adding, " Where do we draw that line between following one's 'conscience' and doing one's job? " ( Salon , 4/9 ) .
ACOG's ethics opinion is available online ( . pdf ) . Reprinted with kind permission from http: //www. nationalpartnership. org. We can view entire Daily Women's Health Policy Report, search the archives, or sign up for email delivery here. The Daily Women's Health Policy Report is a free service of the National Partnership for Women & Families, published by The Advisory Board Company. 2007 The Advisory Board Company. All rights reserved.
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