Verelan Warnings and Precautions (Cont.)

Some Verelan Warnings and Precautions

Some warnings and precautions to be aware of with Verelan include:
 
  • Verelan can slow down the heart rate. This can be a problem in people who have certain types of arrhythmias or people taking other medications that can slow down the heart rate.
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  • Verelan should be used with caution in people who have congestive heart failure (CHF). Verelan can cause fluid retention (edema) and can decrease the heart's ability to pump blood, which can be especially dangerous in people with CHF.
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  • If the left side of your heart is weak (called left ventricular dysfunction), you are at risk for heart failure and should use Verelan with caution. Verelan should not be combined with beta blockers in people who have left ventricular dysfunction.
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  • Verelan can lower your blood pressure. Be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you have signs of low blood pressure, including dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
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  • Verelan can increase liver enzymes (diagnosed using a blood test), which may be a sign of liver damage.
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  • Verelan can affect the electrical system of the heart, causing "heart block." This happens when signals from one part of the heart have trouble reaching the other parts. If this happens to you, your healthcare provider should lower your Verelan dosage or take you off Verelan altogether.
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  • Verelan is metabolized and removed from the body using the liver and kidneys. If you have liver or kidney disease, Verelan may accumulate in your body. Your healthcare provider should monitor you more closely and may need to decrease your Verelan dosage.
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  • Verelan can cause problems with sending nerve signals to the muscles in people with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis.
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  • Verelan can interact with a number of medicines (see Verelan Drug Interactions).
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  • Verelan is considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that Verelan may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using Verelan during pregnancy (see Verelan and Pregnancy for more information).
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  • Verelan passes through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about using Verelan (see Verelan and Breastfeeding for more information).
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(Verelan Warnings and Precautions Continued: Page 3)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;