INDICATIONS. Verelan (verapamil HCl) is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. CALAN ® (verapamil hydrochloride) Tablets. DESCRIPTION. CALAN (verapamil HCl) is a calcium ion influx inhibitor (slow-channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist) available for oral administration in film-coated tablets containing 40 mg, 80 mg, or 120 mg of verapamil hydrochloride. WARNINGS. Heart failure. Verapamil has a negative inotropic effect, which in most patients is compensated by its afterload reduction (decreased systemic vascular resistance) properties without a net impairment of ventricular performance. Chronic heart failure (CHF) is associated with frequent hospitalizations and high mortality. It affects more than 5 million individuals in the USA, and another 660,000 new cases are diagnosed each. 1.1 Team working in the management of heart failure. 1.1.1 The core specialist heart failure multidisciplinary team (MDT) should work in collaboration with the primary care team, and should include: Source: Reviewed 04/2016 2 Potentially harmful drugs to avoid in heart failure continued. Medicine Issue Management Verapamil Hydrochloride is calcium antagonist or slow channel inhibitor. Verapamil Hydrochloride Injection, USP is available in 5 mg/2 mL and 10 mg/4 mL single dose vials (for intravenous administration). The primary goal of drug therapy in heart failure is to improve cardiac function and reduce the clinical symptoms associated with heart failure (e.g., edema, shortness of breath, exercise intolerance). Beta-blockers may precipitate asthma and should not be used in patients with asthma or a history of obstructive airways disease. Some, including atenolol, have less effect Verapamil hydrochloride (Verapamil HCl) is a calcium ion influx inhibitor (slow-channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist) available for oral administration in film-coated tablets containing 80 mg of Verapamil hydrochloride.