Verapamil Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

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

Verapamil Side Effects Reporting

If you experience any Verapamil side effects not mentioned above you should report it to your primary health care provider or FDA 1-800-FDA-1088 in the United States, Health Canada 1-866-225-0709 in Canada, MHRA 020 3080 6000 in UK, or TGA 1800 020 653 in Australia.

Verapamil is a type of drug known as a calcium channel blocker. Verapamil acts on the heart and blood vessels. Verapamil is used for Angina (chest pain) and Hypertension (high blood pressure). Verapamil 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 Verapamil 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. Verapamil improves this oxygen supply and also reduces the effort the heart has to make to pump blood consequently reducing blood pressure.

Verapamil Warning and Caution

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

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

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

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

Verapamil 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.

Verapamil is not recommended for children.

Verapamil and Pregnancy

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

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

Verapamil Interaction

If Verapamil 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

Verapamil 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 Verapamil from the body and could make it less effective:

Phenobarbital

Phenytoin

Rifampicin

Herb St John's wort

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

Verapamil Overdose

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

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