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Verapamil Coupon - Verapamil 120mg tablet

verapamil

Generic Calan
Used for Angina, Atrial Fibrillation, Hypertension, PSVT

Verapamil is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It's used to treat high blood pressure, arrhythmias, and chest pain (or angina) in adults. Verapamil works by slowing your heart rate and relaxing your blood vessels. This medication is taken by mouth typically about 3 to 4 times per day. Side effects can include constipation, dizziness, and nausea.

Reviewed by:
reviewerAllison Gourley, PharmD
reviewerRobert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
Last reviewed on November 27, 2023
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What is Verapamil?

What is Verapamil used for?

How Verapamil works

Verapamil is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It lowers blood pressure and helps with irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) by slowing your heart rate and relaxing your blood vessels. This also helps your heart to get more oxygen so it doesn't need to work as hard to pump, which can help with chest pain.

Drug facts

Common BrandsCalan(brand no longer available)
Drug ClassCalcium channel blocker (CCB)
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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Side effects of Verapamil

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Constipation (7%)
  • Dizziness (3%)
  • Nausea (3%)
  • Low blood pressure (3%)
  • Headache (2%)
  • Swelling in the hands and feet (2%)
  • Tiredness (2%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Trouble catching your breath
  • Rash
  • Flushing

Verapamil serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Heart failure: chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, tiredness, swollen legs and feet, bloating
  • Dangerously low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheadedness, pale skin, feeling faint
  • Liver problems: severe nausea, vomiting, right-sided stomach pain, fatigue, low or no appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes

Source: DailyMed

The following Verapamil side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Blue lips and fingernails

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

chest pain

confusion

coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum

difficult, fast, noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

increased sweating

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

pale skin

shortness of breath

slow or irregular heartbeat

sore throat

sweating

swelling in legs and ankles

unusual tiredness or weakness

Rare

Chills

cold sweats

feeling of warmth

redness of the face, neck, arms and occasionally, upper chest

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

headache

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

difficulty in moving

heartburn

indigestion

joint pain

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pains or stiffness

nausea

rash

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

trouble sleeping

unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

swollen joints

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pros and cons of Verapamil

Pros

  • Works well to help with blood pressure, irregular heart rhythm, or chest pain
  • Available as a lower-cost generic
  • Can be taken with or without food
  • Taken by mouth

Cons

  • Interacts with many medications
  • Can't approved for children
  • Can cause dizziness or swelling in your hands, feet, and legs
  • Needs to be taken multiple times per day
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Pharmacist tips for Verapamil

pharmacist
  • Take verapamil with or without food at any time of day. If it hurts your stomach, try taking it with food to help. Just don't take it with grapefruit or grapefruit juice because grapefruit can raise the levels of verapamil in your body, which can cause side effects.
  • If you're taking verapamil for high blood pressure, make sure to measure and record your blood pressure at home and bring a record of your information to your medical appointments. This information will help your provider understand how well verapamil is working for you and if they need to make any changes to your treatment.
  • Take verapamil exactly as prescribed. Don't change your dose or suddenly stop taking the medication without talking to your provider first. Doing so can cause sudden changes to your blood pressure or heart rate. If you want to stop verapamil, ask your provider if it's safe to do so. You might need to lower your dose slowly over time before you can completely stop taking it.
  • Side effects, such as headache, dizziness, or constipation, are more noticeable when you first start taking verapamil and when your dose is raised. They should get better over time as you continue taking the medication. Talk with your provider if the side effects are becoming too bothersome.
  • Since verapamil can lower your blood pressure, you might feel dizzy when you start taking the medication and when the dose is raised. This should get better over time as you continue taking the medication and your body gets used to your new blood pressure. Also, it's recommended to limit or avoid alcohol because this can worsen dizziness. If you continue to feel dizzy, talk with your provider.
  • Swelling in your feet, ankles, legs, hands, or arms is a common side effect of verapamil. Talk to your provider if the swelling becomes too bothersome. They might recommend tips to ease the swelling, such as asking you to sit or lie down with your legs raised or to wear compression socks.
  • Verapamil can interact with many other medications. Tell your provider and pharmacist about all of the over-the-counter and prescription medications that you're taking.
  • If you're using verapamil for high blood pressure, make sure to have a healthy diet, including a low-salt diet, while taking verapamil so that the medication works even better to lower your blood pressure.
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Common questions about Verapamil

It depends on what you're using verapamil for. For example, the maximum effects of verapamil for an irregular heart beat can be seen within 2 days. But for high blood pressure, you probably won't experience the full effect of the medication until 2 to 4 weeks later. To keep track of how well verapamil is working, measure your blood pressure regularly at home or make a log of when you experience symptoms like chest pain or tightness. You're recommended to share the log with your provider at your appointments so they can better care for your health.

No, verapamil isn't a beta blocker; it's a calcium channel blocker. Both medication classes work on the heart and blood vessels to treat high blood pressure or chest pain, but they work in different ways. In general, providers won't prescribe verapamil with beta blockers because of the higher risk of heart-related side effects.

It can take a little more than a day for most of verapamil to leave your body after a single dose. But it can take up to 3 days as you continue taking the medication. This time frame is estimated based on the half-life of verapamil. It can differ from person to person depending on other factors, such as your age, how long you've been taking verapamil, and if you have liver problems.

Yes, verapamil can lower heart rate. This is how verapamil works to treat certain types of irregular heart beats (arrhythmias).

Yes, verapamil can potentially cause constipation. If you become constipated, try eating foods high in fiber and drinking more fluids. Ask your provider whether it's safe for you to take any over-the-counter stool softeners or laxatives. If your constipation doesn't improve, let your provider know.

No, verapamil doesn't typically cause weight gain due to a larger appetite. But, calcium channel blockers like verapamil can cause fluid to build up in your body to the point where you might feel or notice changes in weight. Let your provider know if you notice any swelling in your arms or legs, especially if it isn't going away or getting better. They might ask you to come into the clinic for a check up because swelling can symptom of heart failure, a rare side effect of verapamil.

There are several medications that interact with verapamil. Depending on what you're taking, your provider might consider prescribing safer alternatives, or adjust the doses of some medications to prevent severe side effects. For example, if you're taking simvastatin (Zocor) or digoxin (Lanoxin) with verapamil, your provider will need to lower the doses of those medication to prevent side effects. You're also recommended to avoid alcohol while taking verapamil because verapamil can raise your blood alcohol levels and worsen the effects of alcohol. It's very important to tell your provider and pharmacist about all of the medications you're taking before and during treatment with verapamil to make sure your treatment is as safe for you as possible.

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Risks and warnings for Verapamil

Verapamil can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

Worsening heart failure

  • Risk factors: Heart failure | Other heart problems | Taking beta-blockers

Verapamil can worsen heart failure, especially in people who already have heart problems that affect how well blood is pumped to the rest of the body. Let your provider know if you experience symptoms of heart failure, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, tiredness, swollen legs and feet, or bloating.

Severely low blood pressure

  • Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower blood pressure | Dehydration

Verapamil can cause your blood pressure to drop too much, which can make you feel dizzy, tired, or lightheaded. This is a common side effect of blood pressure medications, especially when starting the medication and when the dose is raised. If your blood pressure drops too much and you feel too dizzy, make sure to sit down slowly while holding onto something. Let your provider know because they might need to adjust the dose of your medication. If you fall and hit your head, get medical help right away.

Slow heart rate or heart block

  • Risk factors: Taking beta-blockers or digoxin (Lanoxin) | Having medical conditions that slow your heart rate

Although rare, verapamil can cause or worsen heart block, which is when your heart rate is slowed down. This can cause you to feel weak or lightheaded and might even cause you to pass out. You're at higher risk if you're taking other medications that lower your heart rate, such as digoxin (Lanoxin) or a beta-blocker (e.g., propranolol (Inderal)), or if you have other medical conditions that slow your heart rate or affect your heart rhythm. Make sure your provider knows your entire medical history before starting verapamil. Ask your provider if you're not sure whether this medication is safe for you.

Liver problems

Although rare, verapamil can raise your liver enzymes, which can lead to liver problems if not properly treated. This typically occurred within 1 to 8 weeks of starting verapamil. Your provider might check your liver tests before you start this medication and regularly afterwards to make sure it doesn't become a serious problem. If you notice severe nausea, vomiting, right-sided stomach pain, fatigue, low or no appetite, or yellowing of the skin or eyes, get medical help right away.

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Verapamil dosage

The average cost for 90 tablets of 120mg of Verapamil is $18.41 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 45.52% off the average retail price of $33.79.
tabletTablet
DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
80mg90 tablets$14.75$0.16
120mg90 tablets$18.41$0.20
40mg90 tablets$11.46$0.13

Typical dosage for Verapamil

  • Chest pain: The typical dose ranges from 80 mg to 120 mg by mouth three times per day.
  • Abnormal heart rhythms: The typical total daily dose ranges from 240 mg to 320 mg, split into smaller doses and taken by mouth three to four times a day.
  • High blood pressure: The typical starting dose is 80 mg by mouth three times a day.

Your provider might adjust your dose based on things like how well you're responding to the medication, your age, your height, if you have liver problems, and if you're having side effects.

There's also an injectable form of verapamil that's given into the veins (IV) for people in the hospital.

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Interactions between Verapamil and other drugs

Verapamil may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Verapamil. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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How much does Verapamil cost?

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Verapamil contraindications

Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Verapamil will not be safe for you to take.

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What are alternatives to Verapamil?

There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Verapamil. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
Verapamil
Used for:
$11.46Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • New chest pain
  • Long-term chest pain
$13.00Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
Used for:
  • High blood pressure
$23.44Lowest GoodRx priceView prices
latest-news-icon

News about Verapamil

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11 Medications That Cause Coughing: Here’s What to Know About a Drug-Induced Cough
Certain medications, such as lisinopril, simvastatin, and carvedilol, may cause a cough. Learn more about medications that cause coughing here.
Angina and heart attacks both cause chest pain, but usually angina doesn’t result in lasting damage. Learn how to tell the difference and when to get treatment.
What’s the Difference Between a Heart Attack and Angina?
Angina and heart attacks both cause chest pain, but usually angina doesn’t result in lasting damage. Learn how to tell the difference and when to get treatment.
Retinal migraines can cause temporary vision loss and last anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. Learn about potential prevention and treatments.
What Are Retinal Migraines? Symptoms, Treatment, and How to Them Tell Apart From Other Migraines
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Lifestyle changes can be enough to reach blood pressure goals. But what if those adjustments aren’t working? Learn when to consider blood pressure medications.
I’ve Been Making Lifestyle Changes. But How Do I Know When It’s Time to Start Medication for High Blood Pressure?
Lifestyle changes can be enough to reach blood pressure goals. But what if those adjustments aren’t working? Learn when to consider blood pressure medications.
Heart rate and blood pressure are both vital signs that give insight into how your heart and blood vessels are functioning. But they both represent different things.
What’s the Difference Between Heart Rate and Blood Pressure?
Heart rate and blood pressure are both vital signs that give insight into how your heart and blood vessels are functioning. But they both represent different things.
Calcium channel blockers are first-choice medications for treating high blood pressure. Here are nine pharmacist tips to help maximize the potential benefits.
9 Essential Tips for Taking Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers are first-choice medications for treating high blood pressure. Here are nine pharmacist tips to help maximize the potential benefits.
Learn about some of the most common medications used to treat heart failure, and which medications can worsen the condition — some are more common than you think.
The Most Common Medications for Heart Failure (and Ones That Make Heart Failure Worse)
Learn about some of the most common medications used to treat heart failure, and which medications can worsen the condition — some are more common than you think.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 35,000 children end up in emergency rooms every year due to accidental overdose. Learn more here.
Common Culprits of Medication Overdose in Kids: Everything You Need to Know
According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 35,000 children end up in emergency rooms every year due to accidental overdose. Learn more here.
Medications that are likely to cause constipation include opioids, antidepressants, antihistamines, and high blood pressure medications. Dietary changes and stool softeners can help bring some relief.
8 Types of Medications That Can Cause Constipation
Medications that are likely to cause constipation include opioids, antidepressants, antihistamines, and high blood pressure medications. Dietary changes and stool softeners can help bring some relief.
The starting dose of verapamil IR is 80 mg to 120 mg three times daily. Get dose and adjustment info for verapamil IR and ER (Calan SR, Verelan, Verelan PM) here.
Verapamil Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
The starting dose of verapamil IR is 80 mg to 120 mg three times daily. Get dose and adjustment info for verapamil IR and ER (Calan SR, Verelan, Verelan PM) here.
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Verapamil images

White Round Mylan 772 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet
This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Mylan 772".White Round Mylan 772 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet
White Round Watson 345 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet
This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Watson 345".White Round Watson 345 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet
White Round Hp 27 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet
This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Hp 27".White Round Hp 27 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet
White Round Hp 27 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet
This medicine is White, Round, Scored Tablet Imprinted With "Hp 27".White Round Hp 27 - Verapamil Hydrochloride 120mg Tablet

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References

Best studies we found

Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC. (2023). Verapamil hydrochloride- verapamil hydrochloride injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.

Chartwell RX. LLC. (2023). Verapamil hydrochloride- verapamil hydrochloride tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.

Dakkak, W., et al. (2023). Sick sinus syndrome. StatPearls.

GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.

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