Drug reference
verapamil
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Cardiovascular (CCBs)
Mechanism of action
Nondihydropyridine CCB: Inhibits transmembrane influx of extracellular calcium ions across membranes of myocardial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells without changing serum calcium concentrations, resulting in inhibition of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle contraction and thereby dilating main coronary and systemic arteries.
Common side effects
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hypotension
- Gingival hyperplasia
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to verapamil or other calcium channel blockers Cardiogenic shock Congestive heart failure Symptomatic hypotension Sick sinus syndrome (unless permanent pacemaker in place) 2°/3° AV block (unless permanent pacemaker in place)
Known interactions (14)
- dofetilide + verapamil Contraindicated
- flibanserin + verapamil Contraindicated
- amiodarone + verapamil Major
- atenolol + verapamil Major
- colchicine + verapamil Major
- dantrolene + verapamil Major
- digoxin + verapamil Major
- ergotamine + verapamil Major
- ivabradine + verapamil Major
- metoprolol + verapamil Major
- doxazosin + verapamil Moderate
- dronedarone + verapamil Moderate
- erythromycin + verapamil Moderate
- nifedipine + verapamil Moderate
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is verapamil?
verapamil belongs to: Cardiovascular.
How does verapamil work?
Nondihydropyridine CCB: Inhibits transmembrane influx of extracellular calcium ions across membranes of myocardial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells without changing serum calcium concentrations, resulting in inhibition of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle contraction and thereby dilating main coronary and systemic arteries.
What are the common side effects of verapamil?
Constipation, Dizziness, Headache, Hypotension, Gingival hyperplasia
Which drugs interact with verapamil?
dofetilide, flibanserin, amiodarone, atenolol, colchicine, dantrolene, digoxin, ergotamine, ivabradine, metoprolol, doxazosin, dronedarone, erythromycin, nifedipine
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.