Verapamil is used alone or together with other medicines to treat heart rhythm problems, severe chest pain angina , or high blood pressure hypertension. High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks.
These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker. It works by affecting the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, verapamil relaxes blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload.
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make.
For this medicine, the following should be considered:. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of verapamil in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of verapamil in the elderly.
However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related heart, liver, or kidney problems which may require an adjustment of dose in patients receiving verapamil. There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur.
It may cause negative effects in a breastfeeding baby. Talk with your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this medication. This dosage information is for verapamil oral capsules and oral tablets. All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:.
If you have a neuromuscular condition, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis , your doctor may decrease your dose of verapamil. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Verapamil oral capsule is used for long-term treatment. This may lead to hospitalization and death. If you take too much: You may experience dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, or slowed digestion.
You may need to stay for at least 48 hours in a hospital for observation and care. What to do if you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once.
This could result in toxic side effects. How to tell if the drug is working: You may experience dangerously low blood pressure, slowed heart rate, or slowed digestion. A prescription for this medication is refillable.
You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. To see how well this medication is working, your doctor will monitor your heart activity and blood pressure.
They may use an electrocardiogram ECG to monitor your heart activity. Your doctor may instruct you on how to monitor your heart rate and blood pressure at home with an appropriate monitoring device. Your doctor may also periodically test your liver function with a blood test. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be more suitable for you than others. Talk with your doctor about possible alternatives. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date.
However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.
The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. New research finds that the drugs that physicians most commonly prescribe as the first line of treatment are not necessarily the most effective. Many people look for natural treatments, such as essential oils, for high blood pressure.
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Your doctor may also order certain lab tests to check your body's response to verapamil. If you are taking certain extended-release tablets Covera HS , you may notice something that looks like a tablet in your stool. This is just the empty tablet shell, and this does not mean that you did not get your complete dose of medication. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.
You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Verapamil pronounced as ver ap' a mil.
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Brand names Brand names of combination products Other names. Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of verapamil and gradually increase your dose. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking verapamil, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to verapamil, any other medications, or any ingredients in verapamil. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Be sure to mention any of the following: alpha blockers such as prazosin Minipress ; antifungals such as itraconazole Onmel, Sporanox and ketoconazole Nizoral ; aspirin; beta blockers such as atenolol Tenormin, in Tenoretic , metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol , nadolol Corgard, in Corzide , propranolol Inderal, Innopran, in Inderide , and timolol Blocadren, in Timolide ; carbamazepine Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol ; cimetidine Tagamet ; clarithromycin Biaxin, in Prevpac ; cyclosporine Neoral, Sandimmune ; digoxin Lanoxin ; disopyramide Norpace ; diuretics ''water pills'' ; erythromycin E.
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with verapamil, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
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