Drug interactions
Lithium + Verapamil
Severity: Moderate
Lithium 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
Neurotoxicity such as confusion, tremor, ataxia and bradycardia has been reported when verapamil is given with lithium, sometimes at normal lithium levels. Lithium levels may also be altered unpredictably.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Verapamil belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Not fully established; probable pharmacodynamic neurotoxic synergy, with possible changes in lithium handling.
What to do
Monitor lithium levels and neurological status, and watch heart rate. Stop verapamil or reduce lithium if toxicity signs appear.
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
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Verapamil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium 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. Neurotoxicity such as confusion, tremor, ataxia and bradycardia has been reported when verapamil is given with lithium, sometimes at normal lithium levels. Lithium levels may also be altered unpredictably.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium 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: Monitor lithium levels and neurological status, and watch heart rate. Stop verapamil or reduce lithium if toxicity signs appear.
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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