|
| Pronunciation |
|
 (BE
pri
dil) |
|
|
| Brand Names |
|
| Vascor® |
|
|
| Foreign Brand
Names |
|
| Bapadin®
(Canada) |
|
|
| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Calcium Channel Blocker |
|
|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to bepridil or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have a history of allergy to other calcium channel blockers or
adenosine.
- If you have a history of rapid heartbeats.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Ritonavir, amprenavir, or
sparfloxacin.
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine if used for the treatment of chest pain or pressure from
the heart. This is called angina.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Bepridil blocks certain channels in blood vessels that cause
relaxation. This results in a lowering of blood pressure and an increased blood
flow to the heart, resulting in less chest
pain.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take at a similar time every
day.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- There should be an interval of 24 hours between doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If you are 65 or older you may need a smaller dose. Kidney function
may be reduced because of age. Watch for increased side effects.
- Wear disease medical alert identification for heart disease.
- Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase
blood pressure.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have a history of irregular heartbeats
(arrhythmia) or are taking medicine to treat arrhythmias.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, tired, or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Nausea. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy,
or chewing gum may help.
- Diarrhea.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, shortness of breath, or decreased
ability to walk.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
|
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|
Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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