Calan is commonly prescribed to assist in the treatment of hypertension, angina, and in some cases to help control irregular heart rhythms. Calan is a member of the family of medications known as calcium channel blockers, and its job is to relax the blood vessels in the body to allow the blood to flow with less resistance. As the blood flows with less resistance, the heart does not need to work as hard in order to meet the body’s demand for blood supply. Calan is also prescribed generically as verapamil and should always be taken regularly. Stopping Calan without a physician’s approval can create a worsening of the original condition.
Calan is not a medication that can be prescribed to all patients, and should never be prescribed without a thorough medical assessment. Patients with a history of kidney disease, muscular dystrophy, liver disease, or additional heart condition like sick sinus syndrome or heart failure, or any other heart condition unrelated to those specified may not be able to take Calan or may require monitoring or dosage adjustments while undergoing drug therapy with this medication, depending on the condition and the severity of the condition.
As a category C pregnancy risk rating according to the American Food and Drug Administration, it has yet to be determined whether or not Calan is considered to be a danger to a developing fetus. Calan does however pass through the breast milk and can affect a nursing baby. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should avoid taking Calan.
Patients should never take a double dose of Calan to make up for a missed dose. If the patient happens to miss a dose, it can either be taken when remembered if there is ample time before the next dose or it can be skipped if it is nearing time for the next dose. Patients who take too much Calan or take a double dose for any reason risk an overdose. If it is suspected that the patient has overdosed, immediate medical help should be sought. An overdose can lead to serious health consequences. Overdosing can lead to chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, weakness, slow heart rate, fast heart rate, uneven or pounding heart, slurred speech, coma, confusion, fainting, and death.
Side effects might occur when taking Calan and some of them may be serious and lead to emergency medical treatment. Serious side effects may include swelling of the legs or ankles, jaundice, fainting, abnormal behaviors or thoughts, psychosis, shortness of breath, fainting, a fast heart rate, or a slow heart rate. Allergic reactions can occur when a patient is beginning Calan and may present with hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat, or tongue. Allergic reactions such as these require immediate emergency medical attention.
Most patients do not experience serious side effects and are more likely to be affected by less serious side effects. Less serious side effects are likely to include vivid dreams, headaches, insomnia, sleep problems, hair loss, fatigue, an increase in urination, nausea, and diarrhea. These symptoms can be reported to the prescribing physician although they should not require medical attention.
Additionally, other medications may cause interactions when taken with Calan. Patients should be instructed to always check with a prescribing physician or other health care professional before taking any new medications, including over the counter medicines and herbal supplements. Medication such as rifampin, theophylline, lithium, phenobarbitol, cyclosporine, carbamazepine, cimetidine, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors such as Lipitor, or additional heart medications may cause interactions leading to health complications or may create a difficulty in properly absorbing medications making them less effective. Grapefruit, grapefruit juice, and other grapefruit products can also cause interactions with Calan and should be discussed thoroughly with patients when prescribing this medication.
Calan has the following structural formula:
• Molecular formula of calan is C27H38N2O4
• Chemical IUPAC Name is 2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-5-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl- methyl-amino]-2-(1-methylethyl)pentanenitrile
• Molecular weight is 454.602 g/mol
• Calan available : 40mg tablets, 80mg tablets, 120mg tablets
Generic name: Verapamil
Brand name(s): Apo-Verap, Arpamyl, Berkatens, Calan SR, Cardiagutt, Cardibeltin, Cordilox, Covera-HS, Dignover, Dilacoran, Drosteakard, Geangin, Iproveratril, Isoptimo, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Novo-Veramil, NU-Verap, Quasar, Securon, Univer, Vasolan, Veracim, Veramex, Verapamilo, Verapamilum, Veraptin, Verelan, Verelan PM, Verexamil
Review published on: 14 June 2007
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