Carivalan Special Precautions

Talk to the doctor or pharmacist before taking Carivalan.
The patient should inform the doctor if he/she has or has had any of the following conditions: if the patient suffers from heart rhythm disorders (such as irregular heartbeat, palpitations, increase in chest pain), sustained atrial fibrillation (a type of irregular heartbeat) or an abnormality of electrocardiogram (ECG) called 'long QT syndrome'; if the patient suffers from severe heart failure or heart failure with abnormality of ECG called 'bundle branch block'; if the patient is suffering from heart failure with an inability to carry on any physical activity without discomfort (symptoms may be present even at rest and physical activity increases discomfort); if the patient suffers from symptoms of atrial fibrillation (pulse rate at rest unusually high (over 110 beats per minute) or irregular, without any apparent reason, making it difficult to measure); if the patient suffers from uncontrolled blood pressure, especially after a change in the antihypertensive treatment; if the patient suffers from long-standing heart failure together with: a low blood pressure(< 100mmHg), or heart disease caused by reduced blood flow in the blood vessels of the heart muscle, or a condition with damage to the large and/or small blood vessels, or kidney problems; if the patient has symptoms such as tiredness, dizziness or shortness of breath (this could mean that the heart rate is slowing down too much for example under 50 beats per minute); if the patient is going to have a cardioversion (a medical procedure that can restore a fast or irregular heartbeat to a normal rhythm); if the patient has had a recent stroke (cerebral attack); if the patient has a low blood pressure; if the patient has a blood pressure that fluctuates abruptly and repeatedly; if the patient has high blood pressure caused by another condition; if the patient experiences a drop in blood pressure whilst standing up; if the patient has an inflammation of the heart muscle, narrowing of the heart valves impacting the blood flow, final stage circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs; if the patient is taking already α1-receptor antagonist or α2-receptor agonist; if the patient suffers from chronic eye retinal disease or if the eyesight deteriorates; if the patient has diabetes; if the patient has circulation problems such as Raynaud's syndrome (usually affecting the fingers) or peripheral vascular disease causing cold hands and feet or pins-and-needles; if the patient is going to have a surgery which requires a general anaesthesia; if the patient has an overactive thyroid gland (the symptoms are tremors, a fast heart rate, sweating or weight loss); if the patient wears contact lenses; if the patient has a history of hypersensitive reactions or is undergoing desensitisation therapy; if the patient has psoriasis (severe skin rashes); if the patient has or is suspected to have a tumour on the adrenal glands (phaeochromocytoma).
If any of the previously mentioned applies to the patient, talk straight away to the doctor before or while taking Carivalan.
Do not suddenly stop taking Carivalan since this can cause severe changes in the rhythm or rate of the heart and increase the risk of a heart attack.
Carivalan contains lactose: If the patient has been told by the doctor that he/she has an intolerance to some sugars, contact the doctor before taking this medicine. If the patient suffers from hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption, he/she should not take this medicine.
Effects on Ability to Drive or Operate Machinery: Carivalan may cause temporary luminous visual phenomena (a temporary brightness in the field of vision), (see Side Effects). If this happen, the patient should be careful when driving or using machines at times when there could be sudden changes in light intensity, especially when driving at night.
The patient should also be careful when taking Carivalan together with alcohol or changing to another medicine since this may affect the ability to drive or use machines.
If the tablets make the patient feels dizzy or tired or give him/her a headache, do not drive or use machinery.
Use in Children: Children and adolescents: Carivalan is not intended for use in children and adolescents younger than 18.