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What is verapamil injection?
VERAPAMIL (Isoptin® IV) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This results in relaxation of blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Verapamil injection steady's heart rate and flutter. It is not a cure. Generic verapamil injections are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• constipation problems
• heart or blood vessel disease
• heart rhythm disturbances such as sick sinus syndrome, ventricular arrhythmias, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
• liver or kidney disease
• neuromuscular disease such as muscular dystrophy
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• an unusual or allergic reaction to verapamil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Verapamil is for slow injection into a vein. It is usually given by a health-care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.
What drug(s) may interact with verapamil?
Do not take Verapamil with any of the following:
• astemizole
• cisapride
• disopyramide
• dofetilide
• pimozide
• terfenadine
Verapamil may also interact with the following medications:
• alcohol
• alfuzosin
• alosetron
• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• bosentan
• caffeine
• certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin)
• certain medicines used to treat cancer
• certain medicines to treat migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methysergide)
• cevimeline
• cilostazol
• cimetidine
• clonidine
• cyclosporine
• doxercalciferol
• fentanyl
• galantamine
• herbal or dietary supplements such as ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, red yeast rice
• lithium
• local anesthetics or general anesthetics
• medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping (examples: alprazolam, buspirone, midazolam, triazolam)
• medicines for depression or mental problems (examples: imipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, ziprasidone)
• medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
• medicines for heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, digoxin, flecainide, procainamide, quinidine)
• medicines for high cholesterol (atorvastatin, cerivastatin, colesevelam, lovastatin, simvastatin)
• medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems
• medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
• medicines for prostate problems
• medicines for seizures (carbamazepine, clonazepam, ethosuximide, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone, zonisamide)
• methadone
• methylprednisolone
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™)
• paricalcitol
• rifampin, rifabutin or rifapentine
• sildenafil
• sirolimus
• tacrolimus
• theophylline or aminophylline
• water pills (diuretics)
• yohimbine
• zafirlukast
• zileuton
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking verapamil?
Your health care provider will monitor you closely while you are receiving verapamil by injection.
You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you more dizzy or increase flushing and rapid heartbeats. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
What side effects may I notice from receiving verapamil?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
More common:
• dizziness
• slow heartbeat (less than 50 beats per minute)
• lightheadedness
• swelling of the legs or ankles
Rare or uncommon:
• difficulty breathing
• fast heartbeat, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, or
• fainting
• skin rash
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• constipation
• facial flushing
• headache
• nausea, vomiting
• sexual dysfunction
• weakness or tiredness
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Do not freeze. Do not use if the solution is discolored or particulate matter is present. If added to a large volume parenteral solution use within 24 hours. Throw away any unused injection solution.
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
