BEPRIDIL - ORAL (Vascor) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions.

BEPRIDIL-ORAL Index

BEPRIDIL-ORAL, Vascor

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GENERIC NAME: BEPRIDIL - ORAL (BEP-rid-ill)

BRAND NAME(S): Vascor

USES: This drug is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction. By blocking calcium, bepridil relaxes and widens blood vessels. Bepridil is used to treat chest pain (angina). Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible problems related to use of short-acting calcium channel blockers.

HOW TO USE: This medication must be taken as directed even when you do not have chest pain. It must be taken as prescribed to prevent chest pain from occurring. Try to take this medication at the same time(s) each day. Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without your doctor's permission. Some conditions can become worse if the medication is stopped too fast. If stomach upset occurs, this drug may be taken with food or milk.

SIDE EFFECTS: This drug may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days. Avoid activities requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness. Notify your doctor immediately if these effects continue or worsen. You may also experience diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, blurred vision, muscle cramps, headache, fatigue, drowsiness, ringing in the ears, flushing, trembling or shaking hands. These effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. Inform your doctor if they continue or worsen. Notify your doctor if you develop any of these serious effects: trouble breathing, swelling of the hands or feet, unusual bleeding or bruising, chest pain. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: heart disease, heart arrhythmias, liver disease, kidney disease, blood disorders. Your doctor may do laboratory tests periodically while you are taking this medication to check your blood potassium level. This drug should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Since small amounts of bepridil appear in breast milk; consult your doctor before breast-feeding.