MedicineNet.com

mibefradil-oral, Posicor

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz Surprising Benefits of Sex Slideshow Foods & Drinks That Make You Gotta Go Slideshow

GENERIC NAME: MIBEFRADIL - ORAL (my-BEFF-ruh-dill)

BRAND NAME(S): Posicor

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: This drug is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction. By blocking calcium, mibefradil relaxes and widens the blood vessels. It is used to treat high blood pressure or chest pain (angina). This drug has been withdrawn from the U.S. market due to safety or effectiveness problems.

HOW TO USE: This drug is usually taken once daily by mouth. Follow directions exactly and do not stop taking this medication without first checking with your doctor or pharmacist. Tablets should be swallowed whole and not chewed or crushed. The full effect of the drug should occur after taking this for 1 to 2 weeks. When switching from mibefradil to certain other blood pressure medicines, it is advised to stop the mibefradil for a period of time before starting the new medicine. Consult your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS: Generally this drug is well tolerated. Dizziness, headache, leg swelling, abdominal pain, nausea, unusual fatigue or nasal congestion might occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Very unlikely but report promptly: fainting spells, very slow heartbeat, breathing difficulties, skin rash. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Before using this drug, tell your doctor your medical history, including: allergies (especially drug allergies), heart conditions, very low blood pressure, liver problems. To lessen the possible problem of feeling dizzy upon standing, stand up slowly from a lying or sitting position. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Avoid use around the time of labor and birth. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known whether this drug is excreted into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you use, especially of: terfenadine, astemizole, cisapride, cyclosporine, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), tacrolimus, "statin" drugs (e.g., lovastatin), bepridil, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, erythromycin, flutamide, halofantrine, ifosfamide, pimozide, tamoxifen, thioridazine, vinblastine, vincristine. Also report the use of other heart drugs that affect the conduction system, such as: digoxin, beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), other calcium blockers (e.g., verapamil), adenosine. If certain immunosuppressants (e.g., tacrolimus, cyclosporine) and any "statin" drugs for cholesterol are being used in combination, the manufacturer recommends avoiding mibefradil. The effects of mibefradil on other drugs can last for 14 days after stopping mibefradil. Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.