What does verapamil do to the heart?
Highlights for verapamil Show
Verapamil oral capsule is a prescription medication that’s available as the brand-name drugs Verelan PM (extended-release) and Verelan (delayed-release). The extended-release oral capsule is also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand. Verapamil is also available as an extended-release oral tablet (Calan SR) and an immediate-release oral tablet (Calan). Both forms of these tablets are also available as generic drugs. Why it’s usedVerapamil extended-release forms are used to lower your blood pressure. How it worksVerapamil is a calcium channel blocker. It works to relax your blood vessels and improve blood flow, which helps to lower blood pressure. This medication affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This relaxes your blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work your heart has to do. Verapamil oral capsule may make you dizzy or drowsy. Don’t drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness until you know how it affects you. It may also cause other side effects. Most common side effectsThe most common side effects that occur with verapamil include:
Serious side effectsIf you experience any of these serious side effects, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are potentially life threatening, or if you think you’re experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history. Verapamil oral capsule can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with verapamil are listed below. Cholesterol drugsCombining certain cholesterol drugs with verapamil may cause you to have increased levels of the cholesterol drug in your body. This may lead to side effects, such as serious muscle pain. Examples are:
Heart rhythm drugs
Heart failure drug
Taking verapamil and ivabradine together can increase the amount of ivabradine in your body. This raises your risk of serious heart rhythm problems. Do not take these drugs together. Migraine drug
Don’t take eletriptan with verapamil. Verapamil can increase the amount of eletriptan in your body to 3 times as much. This can lead to toxic effects. Don’t take eletriptan for at least 72 hours after you take verapamil. General anestheticsVerapamil can decrease your heart’s ability to work during general anesthesia. Doses of verapamil and general anesthetics will both need to be adjusted very carefully if they’re used together. Blood pressure-lowering drugs
Combining blood pressure-lowering drugs with verapamil can lower your blood pressure to a dangerous level. If your doctor prescribes these drugs with verapamil, they will monitor your blood pressure closely. Other drugsVerapamil may increase or decrease the levels of the following drugs in your body:
Your doctor will monitor your levels of these drugs if you are also given verapamil. The following drugs may decrease the levels of verapamil in your body:
Your doctor will monitor you closely if you receive these drugs in combination with verapamil. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Verapamil oral capsule comes with several warnings. Allergy warningVerapamil can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms may include:
Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it again could be fatal. Food InteractionsGrapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of verapamil in your body. This may lead to increased side effects. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking verapamil. Alcohol InteractionVerapamil may increase the amount of alcohol in your blood and make alcohol effects continue longer. Alcohol may also make the effects of verapamil stronger. This can cause your blood pressure to be too low. Warnings for people with certain health conditionsFor people with heart problems: This includes serious left ventricle dysfunction and heart failure. Avoid taking verapamil if you have serious damage to the left side of your heart or moderate to severe heart failure. Also, avoid taking it if you have any degree of heart failure and are receiving a beta blocker drug. For people with low blood pressure: Don’t take verapamil if you have low blood pressure (systolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg). Verapamil may decrease your blood pressure too much, which may lead to dizziness. For people with heart rhythm disturbances: These include sick sinus syndrome, ventricular arrhythmias, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular (AV) block, or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome. If you have any of these conditions, verapamil may cause ventricular fibrillation or atrioventricular block. For people with kidney or liver disease: Liver and kidney disease may affect how well your body processes and clears this drug. Having reduced kidney or liver function may cause the drug to build up, which can increase side effects. Your dose may need to be adjusted. Warnings for other groupsFor pregnant women: Verapamil is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:
Using verapamil during pregnancy may cause negative effects in the fetus such as low heart rate, low blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythm. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Verapamil should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. For women who are breastfeeding: Verapamil passes through breast milk. It may cause negative effects in a breastfeeding baby. Talk with your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this medication. For children: The safety and effectiveness of verapamil haven’t been established in people younger than 18 years old. 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:
Forms and strengthsGeneric: verapamil
Brand: Verelan
Brand: Verelan PM
Brand: Calan
Brand: Calan SR
Dosage for high blood pressureAdult dosage (ages 18 years and older) Immediate-release tablet (Calan):
Extended-release tablet (Calan SR):
Extended-release capsule (Verelan):
Extended-release capsule (Verelan PM):
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older) Your doctor may start with a lower dose and increase your dose slowly if you’re over the age of 65. Special considerationsIf you have a neuromuscular condition such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis, your doctor may decrease your dose of verapamil. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Verapamil oral capsule is used for long-term treatment. It comes with risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you don’t take it at all: If you don’t take verapamil at all, you risk increased blood pressure. 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. If you think you’ve taken too much, go to your nearest emergency room, or call a poison control center. 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. However, if it’s just a few hours until your next dose, wait and take only the next dose. 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. If you think you’ve taken too much, go to your nearest emergency room, or call a poison control center. You may need to stay for at least 48 hours in a hospital for observation and care. Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes verapamil oral capsules for you. General
StorageStore in temperatures from 59–77°F (15–25°C). Protect the medication from light. RefillsA 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. TravelWhen traveling with your medication:
Clinical monitoringTo 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 to your doctor about possible alternatives. Disclaimer: Healthline 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 other 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. What are the most common side effects of verapamil?Side Effects. Blue lips and fingernails.. chest pain.. coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum.. difficult, fast, noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing.. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly.. lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.. shortness of breath.. How does verapamil affect heart rate?Verapamil is in a class of medications called calcium-channel blockers. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart and slows electrical activity in the heart to control the heart rate.
Can verapamil cause heart problems?Heart failure
Verapamil can cause cardiac failure, because it has a potent negative inotropic effect and causes increased capillary filtration pressure by vasodilatation (1).
Does verapamil lower your heart rate?Verapamil is also used to control your heart rate if you have a fast/irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation). It helps to lower the heart rate, helping you to feel more comfortable and increase your ability to exercise.
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