Isoptin Sr

This medicine 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. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Before using

Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking rifampin, theophylline, carbamazepine, digoxin, digitoxin, intravenous (iv) calcium, flecainide, quinidine, or medicine for heart conditions or high blood pressure (beta blockers). Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have a history of low blood pressure, heart block, severe heart failure, or certain abnormal heart rhythms (wolff-parkinson-white, lown-ganong-levine, or sick sinus syndromes). Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.

Do not use Isoptin

• If you are allergic to any ingredient in Isoptin SR Controlled-Release Tablets
• If 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
• If 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)
• If you have shock due to serious heart problems
• If you are taking dofetilide, eletriptan, erythromycin, or disopyramide

Precautions

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine.

Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. While you are using this medicine, brush and floss your teeth carefully to reduce swelling and tenderness of your gums.

For women: if you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine. Store this medicine at room temperature, away from heat and light. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Isoptin side effects

Side effects, that may go away during treatment, include dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, fatigue, nausea, or constipation. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience shortness of breath, swelling of feet or hands, irregular pulse, unusually fast or slow pulse, or severe dizziness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

If you take too much (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.

Additional information about Isoptin

Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Isoptin Tablets may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Isoptin with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Isoptin; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

Isoptin may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Isoptin Tablets before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

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 Isoptin Tablets while you are pregnant. Isoptin is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Isoptin.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.