ISOPTIN

Drug Name: ISOPTIN

ISOPTIN DESCRIPTION:
VERAPAMIL - INJECTION (ver-APP-uh-mill)

COMMON ISOPTIN BRAND NAME(S):
Isoptin

ISOPTIN SIDE EFFECTS:
Nausea and headache are unlikely but could occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Unlikely but report promptly any irregular or very slow heartbeat, fainting or dizziness, difficulty breathing, leg or ankle swelling, rapid weight gain or seizures. Very unlikely but report fever, abdominal pain, yellowing eyes and skin or excessive sweating. In the unlikely event of an allergic reaction, notify your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include skin rash, hives, itching and trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE ISOPTIN:
ISOPTIN: ISOPTIN is given by direct intravenous (IV) injection. Generally, the injection is given slowly with heart and blood pressure monitoring over at least a two minute period (at least three minutes in the elderly). Generally the starting dose is 5-10 mg, with a second dose 15-30 minutes later if necessary. Children's doses may range from 0.75 mg to 5 mg. Dosage is tailored to each person's medical problems.

ISOPTIN USES:
ISOPTIN is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction and in controlling the electrical impulses within the heart. By blocking calcium, verapamil relaxes and widens blood vessels and can normalize heart rates. Verapamil is used to treat irregular heartbeats.

OTHER USES OF ISOPTIN:
ISOPTIN may also be used for high blood pressure or chest pain (angina).

ISOPTIN PRECAUTIONS:
Before using ISOPTIN, tell your doctor your medical history, including any allergies (especially drug allergies), heart problems (e.g., heart rhythm disturbances, heart failure), liver or kidney disease, very low blood pressure, muscular dystrophy or brain tumors (cancer). Caution is advised when ISOPTIN is used in the elderly. Caution is advised when ISOPTIN is used in neonates and infants. ISOPTIN should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. ISOPTIN is excreted into breast milk and a decision should be made whether to stop the drug or avoid breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

ISOPTIN DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all nonprescription or prescription medication you may use, especially beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol, metoprolol, timolol; including eye drops), digoxin, drugs for high blood pressure treatment (e.g., water pills, ACE Inhibitors), quinidine, disopyramide, carbamazepine, lithium, flecainide, theophylline, cyclosporine, neuromuscular blocking drugs (e.g., for surgery) and inhaled anesthetics that may decrease the heart's pumping action. Mixing of IV verapamil and IV sodium bicarbonate/saline solutions, nafcillin, albumin, amphotericin B, hydralazine, aminophylline or trimethoprim/sulfa is not recommended (incompatible chemicals). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

ISOPTIN OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat; dizziness; fainting; and loss of consciousness.

ISOPTIN NOTES:
EKG, blood pressure and other heart monitoring will be performed during treatment.

MISSED ISOPTIN DOSE:
If you miss a dose consult your doctor or pharmacist.

ISOPTIN STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.