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Meaning & use

Calan

proper noun·Advancedtrademarkmedical

Last updated

UK/ˈkeɪlæn/
US/ˈkeɪlæn/

Meanings

  1. proper nounpropertrademarkmedical

    A brand name for the drug verapamil, which doctors prescribe for high blood pressure, chest pain and some irregular heartbeats.

    Grammar: A brand name, capitalized: the doctor prescribed Calan.

    Patterns

    • prescribe Calan
    • take Calan

    The cardiologist prescribed Calan to control her blood pressure.

    He takes Calan twice a day with food.

    Calan belongs to a group of drugs that relax blood vessels.

  2. proper nounpropertrademarkmedical

    A medicine of the calcium channel blocker type, used to slow the heart and ease its workload.

    Grammar: Used here to describe the drug class by naming the brand.

    Patterns

    • a dose of Calan

    Patients on Calan should avoid grapefruit juice.

    The pharmacist explained the side effects of Calan.

    A slow-release form of Calan is also sold.

Common combinations

take Calan
She takes Calan every morning.
prescribed Calan
The doctor prescribed Calan for his heart rhythm.
Calan SR
Calan SR is a slow-release tablet.
dose of Calan
A higher dose of Calan may cause dizziness.

Synonyms and how they differ

verapamil
Verapamil is the generic name of the active ingredient, while Calan is a particular brand sold under license.
Isoptin
Isoptin is another brand name for verapamil, used in some countries.

Word family

verapamil noun
the active drug
calcium channel blocker noun
the class of drugs the medicine belongs to
antihypertensive noun
a drug that lowers blood pressure

Commonly confused: Calan or Caladryl? Calan or Celan?

Calan vs Caladryl

Caladryl is a skin lotion for itching, completely different from Calan, which is a heart and blood pressure medicine.

Calan vs Celan

Celan is a surname, as in the poet Paul Celan, and not a medicine.

Practice

Calan is a brand name for which type of medicine?

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