Verapamil

Pronunciation: ver-AP-a-mil
Generic Name: Verapamil
Brand Name: Calan

Verapamil is used for:

Treating supraventricular tachycardia, a rhythm disturbance of the heart. It is also used for controlling heart rate response to other rhythm disturbances, specifically atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker. It works by slowing the electrical conduction in the heart, slowing heart rate, and/or normalizing heart rhythm.

Do NOT use Verapamil if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Verapamil


• you have certain heart problems (eg, left ventricular dysfunction, sick sinus syndrome, second- or third-degree heart block and do not have a pacemaker), very low blood pressure, or moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF)


• you have atrial fibrillation or flutter and a pre-excitation syndrome (extra conduction pathway in the heart), such as Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome or Lown-Ganong-Levine (LGL) syndrome


• you have shock due to serious heart problems


• you are taking dofetilide, or you have taken disopyramide within the past 48 hours

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Verapamil:

Some medical conditions may interact with Verapamil. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have heart failure or a recent heart attack with lung congestion, low blood pressure, or heart problems (eg, a very slow heart rate, heart block, heart valve disease)


• if you have kidney or liver problems, muscular dystrophy, or a neuromuscular disease


• if you are taking another blood pressure medicine or you are being treated for cancer

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Verapamil. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), clonidine, disopyramide, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolides (eg, erythromycin), or ritonavir because they may increase the risk of Verapamil's side effects


• Phenobarbital, rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Verapamil's effectiveness


• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aspirin, carbamazepine, colchicine, cyclosporine, digoxin, dofetilide, doxorubicin, dronedarone, eletriptan, erythromycin, everolimus, flecainide, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, lovastatin, simvastatin), lithium, narcotic pain relievers (eg, fentanyl), paclitaxel, quinazolines (eg, terazosin), quinidine, ranolazine, theophyllines, or tolvaptan because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Verapamil

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Verapamil may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Verapamil:

Use Verapamil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Verapamil is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Verapamil at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Verapamil. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Verapamil if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Verapamil, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Verapamil.

Important safety information:

• Verapamil may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Verapamil with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Verapamil; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.


• Verapamil may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Verapamil before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, complete blood cell counts, electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood pressure, may be performed while you use Verapamil. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Verapamil with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Verapamil should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Verapamil while you are pregnant. Verapamil is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Verapamil, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Verapamil:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; fatigue; headache; lightheadedness; mild pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; lightheadedness, especially when standing; severe dizziness; shortness of breath; swelling of the feet or hands; symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, severe or persistent stomach pain, fever, general feeling of being unwell); unusually fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Verapamil side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include decreased mental status; dizziness; loss of consciousness; shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat.

Proper storage of Verapamil:

Store the undiluted solution of Verapamil at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Because the product does not contain a preservative, any unused portion should be discarded. Verapamil is stable for 24 hours when added to compatible intravenous (IV) solutions at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Protect from heat, light, and moisture. Keep Verapamil out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Verapamil, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Verapamil is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Verapamil. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Verapamil resources

• Verapamil Side Effects (in more detail)
• Verapamil Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Verapamil Drug Interactions
• Verapamil Support Group
• 29 Reviews for Verapamil - Add your own review/rating

• Verapamil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• verapamil Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• verapamil Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Calan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Calan SR Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Covera-HS Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Isoptin Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Isoptin SR Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Verapamil Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Verelan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Verelan PM Prescribing Information (FDA)

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