Verapamil: Adverse Reactions

About 30% of the subjects treated with verapamil experience constipation in different degrees of severity. The remaining side-effects caused by oral therapy (nausea, hypotensive symptoms, ankle edema, atrioventricular block) are much less common (2 to 5% of the treated individuals). Heart failure rarely develops; even less frequent are gynecomastia, allergic hepatitis, skin rashes. - The intravenous administration, on the other hand, is more hazardous: different arrhythmias and blockades can occur.

Verapamil: Interactions

Verapamil is an enzyme inhibitor and it can lead to increased levels of carbamazepine, cyclosporine, digoxin and lithium. Combined with other cardiovascular agents (antiarrhythmic agents, beta-blockers, digitalis), verapamil can cause arrhythmias or heart failure. Enzyme inducers can reduce the effect of verapamil.

Table of Contents | Indications | Pharmacology | Contraindications & Cautions | Risk Groups | References