verapamil (oral/injection)

What is the most important information I should know about verapamil?

What is verapamil?

Verapamil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders.

Verapamil injection is used to rapidly or temporarily restore normal heartbeats in people with certain heart rhythm disorders.

Verapamil may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using verapamil?

• "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
• very low blood pressure; or
• if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

You may not be able to use verapamil if you have:

• severe congestive heart failure;
• certain heart rhythm disorders (such as "Afib," Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome);
• a heart condition that causes you to have very rapid heartbeats; or
• if you are receiving an intravenous beta-blocker (such as atenolol, metoprolol, or propranolol).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• a nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy.

How should I use verapamil?

Do not use the medicine if it looks cloudy or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Oral verapamil is taken by mouth. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your liver function may also need to be checked.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you take verapamil.

If you have high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Verapamil oral: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking verapamil?

Grapefruit may interact with verapamil and lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products.

What are the possible side effects of verapamil?

• chest pain, fast or slow heart rate;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;
• fever, upper stomach pain, not feeling well; or
• lung problems --anxiety, sweating, pale skin, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, constipation;
• headache, dizziness; or
• low blood pressure.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect verapamil?

If you also take disopyramide, avoid taking it within 48 hours before or 24 hours after you take verapamil.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Many drugs can affect verapamil. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about verapamil.