Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers help keep your blood vessels from constricting (becoming narrow) by blocking calcium from entering your cells. Some examples include diltiazem (brand names: Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Tiazac) and verapamil (some brand names: Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan).
Calcium channel blockers may make you feel a little dizzy or lightheaded. Because this might happen to you, you shouldn't drive a car or operate dangerous machines until you know if this medication is going to make you feel dizzy. The dizziness usually goes away after you have been taking the medicine for a few days. If you keep feeling dizzy or lightheaded after a few days, tell your doctor.
While taking Calcium channel blockers, you should call your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing, experience weight gain for an unknown reason, if you have fluid retention (if your hands, feet or legs start swelling), have chest pain or a very slow heartbeat (less than 50 heartbeats per minute).
You should monitor your heart rate and blood pressure regularly and keep a log for your doctor.
