If your doctor has prescribed verapamil, it is because they have deemed that the benefit to you is greater than the potential risk of side effects. However, adverse reactions do occasionally occur. Common side effects include constipation, heartburn, dizziness, and headache. Tell your doctor if any of these are severe or don’t go away.
Rare, but serious side effects include fainting, new or worsening symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles; shortness of breath; or unusual weight gain), very slow heartbeat, liver disease/damage (symptoms include excessive vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, or yellowing of the skin/eyes), or allergic reactions (such as rash, itching, swelling of the face/tongue/throat, and difficulty breathing or swallowing). Get immediate medical attention if you experience any of these complications.
As with all prescription medication, inform your doctor of any medical conditions you are currently managing. Tell them about any and all medication, prescription drugs, and supplements you are taking before starting treatment with verapamil. This medication can interact with substances in the body, causing potentially serious adverse reactions. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Specifically, you should tell your health care provider if you are dealing with digestive problems, heart conditions, or heart, liver, or kidney disease before starting treatment with verapamil.
This is not a complete list of side effects or precautions. For more information please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage for Verapamil.