Precautions

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not use this medicine together with verapamil (Isoptin®).

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin using this medicine, or when the dose is increased. Getting up slowly may help.

This medicine may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, swollen neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an uneven heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, or weight gain.

Do not interrupt or stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, which can be dangerous.

This medicine may cause changes in blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up the symptoms of low blood sugar (including fast heartbeat) and increase the risk for serious or prolonged hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Check with your doctor if you notice a change in your normal symptoms or a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests. Call your doctor right away if you have anxiety, blurred vision, chills, cold sweats, confusion, cool, pale skin, depression, dizziness, fast heartbeat, headache, increased hunger, nausea, nervousness, nightmares, seizures, shakiness, slurred speech, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Check with your doctor right away if you start having itchy skin, dark urine, loss of appetite, yellow eyes or skin, flu-like symptoms, or stomach pain or tenderness. These could be symptoms of serious liver problem.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine, especially before having any kind of surgery (including cataract surgery). A serious eye problem called Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS) has occurred in some patients who were taking this medicine, or who had recently taken this medicine, when they had cataract surgery. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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Portions of this document last updated: June 01, 2024

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