Drug interactions
Encainide + Verapamil
Severity: Moderate
Encainide and Verapamil: moderate interaction.
Last updated
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.
Summary
Verapamil may raise encainide exposure, and both drugs depress cardiac conduction and contractility. Encainide is no longer marketed in most countries, so the interaction is mostly of historical interest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Encainide and Verapamil can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Possible inhibition of CYP2D6/CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of encainide plus additive negative effects on AV conduction and inotropy.
What to do
If both must be used, monitor ECG for PR and QRS prolongation and watch for hypotension or heart failure; reduce the encainide dose if conduction abnormalities develop.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Verapamil
- Dofetilide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lomitapide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Verapamil Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Verapamil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Encainide with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Encainide and Verapamil can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Verapamil may raise encainide exposure, and both drugs depress cardiac conduction and contractility. Encainide is no longer marketed in most countries, so the interaction is mostly of historical interest.
How serious is the interaction between Encainide and Verapamil?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: If both must be used, monitor ECG for PR and QRS prolongation and watch for hypotension or heart failure; reduce the encainide dose if conduction abnormalities develop.
What other medicines interact with Verapamil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Verapamil with, for example, Dofetilide, Flibanserin, Lomitapide. The full list is on the Verapamil page.
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