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In this Article

• What is verapamil (Verelan PM)?
• 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 happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heartbeat and fainting.

What should I avoid while taking verapamil?

Verapamil can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking verapamil.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with verapamil and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.

What other drugs will affect verapamil?

Before taking verapamil, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• any other blood pressure medications;
• buspirone (BuSpar);
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
• cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid);
• lovastatin (Mevacor);
• phenobarbital (Solfoton);
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
• theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl);
• a sedative such as midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion);
• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
• an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
• a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta, Ziac), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others;
• a heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), flecainide (Tambocor), or quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release); or
• HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with verapamil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about verapamil.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children. Never share your medicines with others and only use this medication for the condition prescribed.

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