It takes time for blood pressure to drop, and for the heart to settle into a regular rhythm. This is why for best results, you should strictly observe taking heart and blood pressure medication such as Calan regularly - once to three times a day, as your condition dictates. But if you are about to begin Calan therapy, you should first become aware of Calan side effects.

Some Calan side effects could be minor, and you could still continue taking the drug if they occur. Minor side effects include: dizziness, headache, constipation, heartburn, a feeling of being hot and flushed, a slow heartbeat, feeling tired all the time, having vivid and disturbing dreams.

Since dizziness is a common side effect, it is not recommended that you take Calan with substances that could make you disoriented or drowsy such as alcohol. These substances may compound the soporific effects of this particular medicine.If you start to experience dizziness, lie down or sit immediately. You may be able to prevent dizziness by sitting or standing up slowly, especially in the morning. If combined with alcohol, Calan may also make the effects of alcohol (not the least of which is drunkenness) take effect faster and last longer.

Calan may cause an upset stomach. It is best to take this medicine with food or milk. Existing stomach problems would also be aggravated by Calan even if taken with milk or a full stomach. Talk to your doctor before taking Calan if you have stomach problems, such as gastrointestinal obstructions (strictures).

This medicine may also have serious side effects, usually indicative of an allergy. If any of these symptoms occur, stop taking Calan and seek emergency medical treatment: fainting, fever, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the eyes), rash, swelling of the face, tongue, lips, legs, or arms, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or alarming chest pain. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children.

It is important to take this medicine regularly. If you have missed a dose, try to take the medicine as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled medication, however, just take that one and stick to the original treatment schedule. If you fail to take this medicine regularly, it is possible that your condition could get worse.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. It is vital to stick to the dosage recommended by the label or by your physician. If you overdose on this drug, you may experience hypotension, or extremely low blood pressure. This could be life-threatening under certain circumstances. Seek emergency medical help when this happens.

This medicine has not been tested on children. Caution should be taken when using them on pregnant, breastfeeding or elderly people. Make sure to ask your doctor first if it is safe, and how much of it is safe to be taken.

Keep all appointments with your doctor. You may need to be tested regularly for blood pressure, kidney function, liver function, ECG and complete blood count. If you experience any of the milder Calan side effects, make sure to inform your doctor about them during your next checkup.