What is/are Covera HS?

VERAPAMIL is used for treating high blood pressure and chest pain. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for certain conditions as determined by your doctor, which may not be listed in the professional package insert.

Covera is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing heart rate, which lowers the workload on the heart. It also dilates coronary arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart.

What should I tell my health care providers before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• sick sinus syndrome
• very low blood pressure or severe heart failure
• very slow heart rate, aortic valve disease or outflow obstruction
• kidney or liver disease
• muscular dystrophy
• neurologic disease

How should I use this medicine?

Take Coveraby mouth with or without food. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you use the medicine. Swallow tablets whole, do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• dofetilide, eletriptan, flecainide, ketolides, or macrolides
• beta-blockers, clindamycin, clonidine, lincomycin
• barbiturates or rifampin
• aldosterone blockers, carbamazepine, clonidine, cyclosporine, digoxin, digitoxin, dofetilide, eletriptan, erythromycin, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, inhalation anesthetics, lithium, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants, quinazolines, quinidine, theophyllines

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
• tightness in the chest
• swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
• chest pain
• light-headedness, especially upon standing
• severe dizziness
• shortness of breath
• swelling of feet or hands
• unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• dizziness
• fatigue
• headache
• light-headedness
• nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Covera-may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Covera with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Covera; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, complete blood count, and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Covera. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Covera while you are pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking Covera.

Where should I keep this medicine?

Store between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of the reach of children and away from pets.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.