Drug interactions
Labetalol + Verapamil
Severity: Major
Labetalol and Verapamil: major 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 depresses AV conduction and contractility, and combined with labetalol it can cause severe bradycardia, AV block, hypotension and heart failure. The risk is higher with oral or intravenous use in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or conduction disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Labetalol and Verapamil can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Labetalol belongs to Cardiovascular; Verapamil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive negative chronotropic, dromotropic and inotropic effects, with possible reduced beta-blocker clearance.
What to do
Avoid in patients with heart failure, sinus node or AV conduction disease, and never give intravenous verapamil with a beta-blocker. Otherwise monitor ECG and blood pressure closely.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Labetalol
- Amifostine + Labetalol Major
- Amiodarone + Labetalol Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Labetalol Major
- Atenolol + Labetalol Major
- Betaxolol + Labetalol Major
- Bisoprolol + Labetalol Major
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 Labetalol with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Labetalol and Verapamil can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Verapamil depresses AV conduction and contractility, and combined with labetalol it can cause severe bradycardia, AV block, hypotension and heart failure. The risk is higher with oral or intravenous use in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or conduction disease.
How serious is the interaction between Labetalol and Verapamil?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid in patients with heart failure, sinus node or AV conduction disease, and never give intravenous verapamil with a beta-blocker. Otherwise monitor ECG and blood pressure closely.
What other medicines interact with Labetalol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Labetalol with, for example, Amifostine, Amiodarone, Atenolol-chlorthalidone. The full list is on the Labetalol page.
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