Univer: Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Main ingredient in Univer is Verapamil. Univer is a type of drug known as a calcium channel blocker. Univer acts on the heart and blood vessels. Univer is used for Angina (chest pain) and Hypertension (high blood pressure). Univer works by slowing down the movement of calcium through muscle cells by blocking 'calcium channels' on these muscle cells causing them to relax. By doing so Univer slows down the rate at which the heart beats and widens the blood vessels in the body. Angina (chest pain) is caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the heart. Univer improves this oxygen supply and also reduces the effort the heart has to make to pump blood consequently reducing blood pressure.

UNIVER SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects of Univer may include constipation, flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, ankle swelling, needles sensations, slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, heart failure, impaired liver function, reversible enlargement of the gums, and reversible enlargement of the breasts has been seen in elderly men under long-term treatment.

Univer Warning and Caution

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking Univer, as it may increase the level of this drug in your blood.

Univer may affect your ability to drive a vehicle or operate machinery.

Univer may slow the breakdown of alcohol in the body. Therefore it could increase the level of alcohol in your blood and its effect.

Univer should be used with caution in people with decreased liver or kidney function, and heart failures.

Univer should not to be used in heart attack complicated by a slowed heart rate, heart failure or very low blood pressure, sick sinus syndrome, uncontrolled heart failure, slow heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute, low blood pressure of less than 90mmHg systolic, and porphyries.

Univer is not recommended for children.

Univer and Pregnancy

Univer should not be used during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your physician if you get pregnant or plan to get pregnant while using Univer.

Univer passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers should switch to bottle-feed while taking Univer.

Univer Interaction

If Univer is used in combination with other medicines that lower blood pressure, this could cause the blood pressure to drop dangerously low.

Other drugs that reduce blood pressure include the following:

ACE inhibitors

Alpha-blockers

Alprostadil

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists

Antipsychotics

Baclofen

Benzodiazepines

Beta-blockers

Other calcium channel blockers

Clonidine

Diazoxide

Diuretics

Dopamine agonists

Hydralazine

Levodopa

MAOI antidepressants

Methyldopa

Minoxidil

Moxonidine

Nicorandil

Nitrates

Univer may decrease the breakdown of the following drugs in the liver causing to increase the amount of these drugs in the blood:

Atorvastatin

Buspirone

Carbamazepine

Ciclosporin

Digoxin

Eplerenone

Midazolam

Simvastatin

Sirolimus

Tacrolimus

Theophylline

The following drugs may increase the removal of Univer from the body and could make it less effective:

Phenobarbital

Phenytoin

Rifampicin

Herb St John's wort

If Univer is taken in combination with lithium the level of lithium in the blood may decrease.

Univer Overdose

Univer overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure and other heightened side effects symptoms. In case of Univer overdose, seek medical attention right away.