Brand Names: Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM

Generic Name: verapamil (oral) (Pronunciation: ver AP a mil)

• What is verapamil (Calan)?
• What are the possible side effects of verapamil?
• What is the most important information I should know about verapamil?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking verapamil?
• How should I take verapamil?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking verapamil?
• What other drugs will affect verapamil?
• Where can I get more information?

What is verapamil (Calan)?

Verapamil is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Verapamil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders.

Verapamil may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Calan 40 mg

round, pink, imprinted with 40, CALAN

Calan 80 mg

oval, peach, imprinted with 80, CALAN

Calan SR 120 mg

oval, lavender, imprinted with CALAN, SR120

Calan SR 180 mg

oval, pink, imprinted with CALAN, SR180

Calan SR 240 mg

oblong, green, imprinted with CALAN, SR 240

Covera HS 180 mg

round, pink, imprinted with COVERA-HS 2011

Covera HS 240 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with COVERA-HS 2021

Isoptin SR 180 mg

elliptical, pink, imprinted with ISOPTIN SR, 180 MG

Verapamil 120 mg ER-IVA

round, beige, imprinted with 120, LOGO

Verapamil 120 mg ER-MYL

green/white, imprinted with MYLAN 6320

Verapamil 120 mg SR-WAT

yellow, imprinted with 60274, 120mg

Verapamil 120 mg Tab-MYL

oval, blue, imprinted with 244, MYLAN

Verapamil 120 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 772

Verapamil 120 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 345

Verapamil 180 mg ER-IVA

oblong, orange, imprinted with 73 01, LOGO

Verapamil 180 mg ER-MYL

dark green/light green, imprinted with MYLAN 6380

Verapamil 180 mg ER-SCH

oblong, orange, imprinted with LOGO, 7301

Verapamil 240 mg ER-IVA

oblong, white, imprinted with 73 00, LOGO

Verapamil 240 mg ER-MYL

green, imprinted with MYLAN 6440

Verapamil 40 mg-WAT

round, orange, imprinted with WATSON 404

Verapamil 80 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 512

Verapamil 80 mg-WAT

round, white, imprinted with WATSON 343

Verapamil ER 180 mg-MYL

Verapamil ER 240 mg-MYL

oblong, blue, imprinted with M 411

Verapamil SR 180 mg-WAT

gray/yellow, imprinted with 60274, 180 mg

Verapamil SR 240 mg-WAT

blue/yellow, imprinted with 60274, 240 mg

Verapamil SR 360 mg-WAT

lavender/yellow, imprinted with 60274, 360 mg

What are the possible side effects of verapamil?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• fast or slow heartbeats;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash;
• restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• swelling, rapid weight gain; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• constipation, nausea;
• skin rash or itching;
• dizziness, headache, tired feeling; or
• warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Calan (verapamil hcl) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about verapamil?

You should not use verapamil if you are allergic to it, or if you have certain serious heart conditions such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), low blood pressure, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Before taking verapamil, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, congestive heart failure, or a nerve-muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis or muscular dystrophy.

Verapamil may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking verapamil suddenly, your condition may become worse.

Verapamil may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.