Prescription medication · Calcium Channel Blocker
verapamil
Also sold as Calan, Verelan. Verapamil is used to treat chest pain called angina.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 4,224
- FDA reportsLightly reported
- 57
- InteractionsMany interactions
- In shortage
- FDA status
What the data shows
verapamil (Calan) is a prescription Calcium Channel Blocker, among the least-reported drugs the FDA tracks (4,224 FDA reports), with 57 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
verapamil (Calan) is a prescription Calcium Channel Blocker. Verapamil is used to treat chest pain called angina.
Verapamil is a drug that helps to lower blood pressure and treat chest pain (angina) and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing down the heart rate.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Shortage Alert
verapamil is currently listed as to be discontinued by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Pfizer Inc..
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.06/unit
Generic Available
Yes (22 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Verapamil is used to treat chest pain called angina.
Common side effects
Constipation, Shortness of breath, Dizziness
Key warnings
You should not take this medicine if you have severe heart problems, very low blood pressure, or certain types of irregular heartbeats without a pacemaker.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from verapamil's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Verapamil belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by blocking calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells. This relaxes and widens blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and makes it easier for the heart to pump.
How to Take It
Take verapamil exactly as your doctor tells you. Your doctor will adjust your dose to find what works best for you. Do not take more than 480 mg per day. It may take a few days to see the full effect of the medicine.
This is a plain-language summary of verapamil's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. It is not known if verapamil will harm your unborn baby. Verapamil can pass into breast milk, so talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take this medicine.
This is a plain-language summary of verapamil's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of verapamil's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store verapamil at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 4,224 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for verapamil, by number of reports
- Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
356 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
341 reports
- Interaction with another medicine
Interaction with another medicine
316 reports
- Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
286 reports
- Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure
280 reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
271 reports
- Loose or watery stools
Loose or watery stools
256 reports
- Coughing
Coughing
239 reports
- Stomach pain
Stomach pain
238 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
238 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for verapamil each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where verapamil sits
verapamil has more FDA adverse-event reports than 23% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is verapamil; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 4,224 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
4,224
Reports Mentioning Death
927
21.9% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
1,908
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DYSPNOEA | 356 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 341 |
| 3 | DRUG INTERACTION | 316 |
| 4 | DIZZINESS | 286 |
| 5 | HYPOTENSION | 280 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 271 |
| 7 | DIARRHOEA | 256 |
| 8 | COUGH | 239 |
| 9 | ABDOMINAL PAIN | 238 |
| 10 | ASTHENIA | 238 |
| 11 | HEADACHE | 237 |
| 12 | VOMITING | 237 |
| 14 | FALL | 234 |
| 15 | MALAISE | 227 |
| 16 | COMPLETED SUICIDE | 224 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
You should not take this medicine if you have severe heart problems, very low blood pressure, or certain types of irregular heartbeats without a pacemaker. Talk to your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
Known Drug Interactions
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS • CYP3A Inhibitors: In post-MI HFrEF patients, do not exceed 25 mg once daily when used with moderate CYP3A inhibitors (e.g., verapamil, erythromycin, saquinavir, fluconazole).
Mechanism: Verapamil slows down the body's ability to process eplerenone, which can cause the drug to reach higher levels in your blood.
What to do: Your doctor should limit your eplerenone dose to 25 mg once daily when taking these together.
Intervention: For patients taking verapamil, diltiazem, or dronedarone, do not exceed ezetimibe and simvastatin 10 mg/10 mg daily.
Mechanism: Verapamil can cause the levels of the cholesterol medicine to build up in your body, which may lead to muscle damage.
What to do: Your doctor should limit your dose of the combination medicine to 10 mg/10 mg daily.
Intervention: For patients taking verapamil, diltiazem, or dronedarone, do not exceed VYTORIN 10/10 mg daily.
Mechanism: Verapamil prevents your body from processing simvastatin correctly, causing the drug to build up to high levels. This can lead to severe muscle pain or weakness.
What to do: Your doctor should limit your VYTORIN dose to 10/10 mg daily while you are on verapamil.
Intervention: For patients taking verapamil, diltiazem, or dronedarone, do not exceed ezetimibe and simvastatin 10 mg/10 mg daily.
Mechanism: Verapamil slows down the process your body uses to get rid of simvastatin, which can cause the drug to reach toxic levels. This increases the risk of serious muscle injury.
What to do: Do not take more than 10 mg of simvastatin per day if you are also taking verapamil.
Calcium Channel Blockers: Verapamil Use With Caution Verapamil: Hypotension, bradyarrhythmias, and lactic acidosis have been observed in patients receiving concurrent verapamil, [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] .
Mechanism: Combining these drugs can lead to dangerously low blood pressure and a very slow heartbeat. It can also cause a harmful buildup of acid in your blood.
What to do: Use these medicines together with caution. Your healthcare provider should check your heart rate and blood pressure often.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I drink grapefruit juice while taking verapamil?
Can I drink alcohol while taking verapamil?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking verapamil?
Can I take aspirin with verapamil?
Will verapamil cure my high blood pressure?
Can I stop taking verapamil if my blood pressure is normal?
Does verapamil interact with other medications?
How long does it take for verapamil to start working?
What if I have side effects from verapamil?
Can I exercise while taking verapamil?
What are the common side effects of verapamil?
Does verapamil interact with other medications?
What drug class is verapamil?
Is verapamil safe during pregnancy?
Has verapamil been recalled?
Is verapamil currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
Cross contamination with other products.
Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc
Cross contamination with other products.
Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for verapamil
The FDA label for verapamil (sold under brand names such as Calan, Verelan) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Calcium Channel Blocker class. Verapamil is used to treat chest pain called angina. Official labeling lists 10 commonly reported side effects, including Constipation, Shortness of breath, Dizziness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 4,224 voluntary reports. The database also lists 57 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.06.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: May 22, 2024
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages