Mibefradil (Systemic)
Before Using This MedicineIn deciding to use a medicine,
the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will
do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For mibefradil, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to mibefradil. Also tell your health care professional if
you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or
dyes.
Pregnancy - Mibefradil has not been studied in pregnant women.
However, studies in animals have shown that large doses of mibefradil can
cause heart defects in rat fetuses. Before taking this medicine, make sure
your doctor knows if you are pregnant or may become pregnant.
Breast-feeding - It is not known if mibefradil passes into breast
milk, however, it passes into the milk of lactating rats. Newborn babies have
been reported to be sensitive to other calcium channel blocking agents. Be
sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of this medicine with your
doctor.
Children - Although there is no specific information comparing
use of mibefradil in children with use in other age groups, it is not expected
to cause different side effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Older adults - Elderly people may be more sensitive to the heart
rate slowing effects of mibefradil.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
mibefradil, it is especially important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Astemizole (e.g., Hismanal) or
-
Cisapride (e.g., Propulsid) or
-
Terfenadine (e.g., Seldane) - These medicines should not be used
with mibefradil because unwanted effects of these medicines on the heart may
be increased
-
Atorvastatin (e.g., Lipitor) or
-
Cerivastatin (e.g., Baycol) or
-
Lovastatin (e.g., Mevacor) or
-
Simvastatin (e.g., Zocor) - These medicines should not be used
with mibefradil because unwanted effects of these medicines, such as muscle
aches or cramps (rhabdomyolysis), may be increased and may lead to development
of kidney problems
-
Beta-adrenergic blocking agents (acebutolol [e.g., Sectral], atenolol
[e.g., Tenormin], betaxolol [e.g., Kerlone], carteolol [e.g., Cartrol], carvedilol,
[e.g., Coreg], labetalol [e.g., Normodyne], metoprolol [e.g., Lopressor],
nadolol [e.g., Corgard], oxprenolol [e.g., Trasicor], penbutolol [e.g., Levatol],
pindolol [e.g., Visken], propranolol [e.g., Inderal], sotalol [e.g., Sotacor],
timolol [e.g., Blocadren]) or
-
Digitalis glycosides (e.g., Lanoxin) or
-
Diltiazem (e.g., Cardizem) or
-
Verapamil (e.g., Calan) - Effects to slow the heart rate may
be increased
-
Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
-
Desipramine (e.g., Norpramin) or
-
Imipramine (e.g., Tofranil) or
-
Tacrolimus (e.g., Prograf) - Effects of these medicines may be
increased if they are used with mibefradil
-
Flecainide (e.g., Tambocor) or
-
Propafenone (e.g., Rythmol) - Unwanted effects of these medicines
on the heart may be increased
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of mibefradil. Make sure you tell your doctor
if you have any other medical problems, especially:
-
Heart rhythm or heart rate problems - Mibefradil can worsen these
conditions
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