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Verapamil (By injection)

Verapamil (ver-AP-a-mil)

Treats irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). This medicine is a calcium channel blocker.

Brand Name(s):

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to verapamil, or if you are breastfeeding. You should not receive this medicine if you have severe low blood pressure or if you have certain heart problems. Ask your doctor what these heart problems are. You should not receive this medicine if you are also receiving an IV (intravenous) beta-blocker medicine, such as metoprolol or propranolol to lower blood pressure.

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

  • Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
  • A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are using clonidine (Catapres®), digoxin (Digitek®, Lanoxin®), disopyramide (Norpace®), flecainide (Tambocor®), quinidine (Quinidex®), or blood pressure medicines (such as atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol, or Toprol®) given by mouth.
  • Tell your doctor if you are also using dantrolene (Dantrium®), telithromycin (Ketek®), tubocurarine, vecuronium (Norcuron®), or medicine to lower cholesterol (such as atorvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin, Lipitor®, or Zocor®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, brain tumor, or muscular dystrophy or other muscle problems. Tell your doctor about all heart problems you have, including heart disease, heart failure, or rhythm problems such as Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you have received this medicine recently.
  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
  • Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
  • Seizures

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Headache

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 4/23/2024

 
 
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