Calan Uses

Calan is a medication used to treat several medical conditions in adults. Common Calan uses include treating high blood pressure, chest pain, and certain irregular heart rhythms. This prescription medication is also sometimes used "off-label" to treat migraine headaches and mania due to bipolar disorder. Calan has not been approved for use in children.

 

Calan Uses: An Overview

 Calan® (verapamil hydrochloride) is a prescription medication used to treat several conditions of the heart and blood vessels, including:
 

 

 

  • Certain irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), including:

 

 

Calan for Blood Pressure
A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90, with multiple blood pressure readings.
 
In clinical studies, Calan has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, Calan can decrease the risk of developing health problems, such as a stroke, heart disease, or congestive heart failure, which can occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). However, Calan is not a cure for high blood pressure.
(Calan Uses Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;