Verapamil is used to treat irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and high blood pressure. It relaxes your blood vessels so your heart does not have to pump as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart to control chest pain (angina). If taken regularly, verapamil controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts.

Verapamil is also used sometimes to treat migraine headaches and cardiomyopathy. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

Special precautions

Before taking verapamil,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to verapamil or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking drugs, especially aspirin, heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers, or any other blood pressure lowering medicines;
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, or kidney disease, muscular dystrophy, or gastrointestinal obstruction (strictures).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking verapamil, call your doctor.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking verapamil.
• You should know that verapamil may increase the effects of alcohol and make them last longer.

Side effects

Although side effects from verapamil are not common, they can occur:

• constipation
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• headache
• upset stomach
• heartburn
• excessive tiredness
• flushing (feeling of warmth)
• slow heartbeat
• vivid, unusual dreams

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• fainting
• rash
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• fever
• increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to verapamil.