About the Drug and its uses
Verapamil belongs to the drug group called as “calcium channel blockers”. The trade names for verapamil are Calan, Verelan PM, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Isoptin and Covera HS. Verapamil functions by muscle relaxation in the heart and blood vessels. Verapamil is utilized for the treatment of chest pain, hypertension and some of the disorders of heart rhythms. The irregular heartbeats are either treated or prevented by these tablets or these tablets in combination with other drugs. The drug verapamil helps the heart to not work hard in pumping the blood as it relaxes the blood vessels. The heart is supplied with more of blood and oxygen by the action of this drug and it also reduces the heart electrical activity and manages the heart rate. Verapamil functions as a tablet that is long acting and is taken orally. The tablet that is used normally and regularly can be taken thrice or four times in a day while long acting tablets can be taken once or twice per day.
Usually this medicine is prescribed at low dose and slowly its dosage will be increased. Verapamil will manage the conditions like arrhythmias, angina and high blood pressure. But, these conditions will not be cured by this drug. Verapamil is taken continuously even if the condition has improved. It is not suggested to stop taking this drug unless told by the physician.
The dosages that are prescribed for these tablets that are of immediate release type are 40mg, 80mg and 120mg. The sustained release tablets are available at the dosages of 120mg, 180mg, 240mg and 360mg. The tablets that are of extended release type are available at the dosages of 100mg, 120mg, 180mg, 200mg, 240mg, and 300mg. The injection form of this medicine is available at the dosage of 2.5mg per milliliter. The oral dosage is taken at 180mg to 480mg per day.
Common side effects of Verapamil
• Constipation is observed in about 7.3% of population.
• Nausea is seen in about 2.7% of population.
• Dizziness is observed in about 3.3% of population.
• Headache is observed in about 2.2% of population.
• Low blood pressure is seen in about 2.5% of population.
Serious side effects of Verapamil
• Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) or slow rate of heart (Bradycardia)
• Chest pain
• Heart strokes or attacks
• Symptoms of low blood pressure like lightheadedness, fainting and dizziness
• Water retention accompanied by breathing difficulty indicating the signs of congestive heart failure
• Breast enlargement in males called as gynecomastia
• Hallucinations or psychotic problems
• Symptoms of allergic reaction which involves rashes, hives, swelling, itching, breathing difficulty, wheezing and swallowing.
Rare side effects of Verapamil
• Dry mouth
• Shakiness
• Diarrhea
• Muscle cramps
• Drowsiness
• Hair loss
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Ringing in the ears
• Blurred vision
• Erectile dysfunction
Precautions to be taken to avoid side effects
The patient has to inform the doctor about any allergy if he has towards the verapamil drug. The doctor also has to be informed if there are any vitamins, nutritional supplements and other drugs that are taken by the person. The other medications that are taken by the patient like alpha blockers, antifungals, beta blockers, carbamazepine, cimetidine, clarithromycin, cyclosporine, digoxin, disopyramide, diuretics, erythromycin, flecainide, some HIV protease inhibitors, lithium, quinidine phenobarbital, rifampicin, pioglitazone, theophylline and telithromycin have to be informed to the doctor and also about the drugs that are not mentioned in this list. The doctor has to be informed about any herbal products that are taken by the person especially St. John’s wort.
If there is any blockage in the gastrointestinal tract or if there is any situation that is allowing the food to move in the digestive system very slowly, if there is heart failure, if there are diseases associated with kidney, liver and heart, myasthenia gravis (weakening of some muscles) and muscular dystrophy (gradual weakening of muscles through inheritance). The person has to inform the doctor if she is pregnant when the person is taking verapamil. If the person is going to undergo any surgery, then verapamil has to be taken after consultation with the doctor. Alcohol consumption has to be stopped while taking verapamil.