What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Esmolol and verapamil
Esmolol's FDA label of March 14, 2025 names verapamil in its contraindications section; verapamil's label does not name esmolol itself but warns about its class (Beta blockers).
Check it at the source: the esmolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 14, 2025, Baxter Healthcare Company); the verapamil FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 6, 2026, Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc.).
What does the esmolol label say about verapamil?
Esmolol label, contraindicationsIV administration of cardiodepressant calcium-channel antagonists (e.g., verapamil) and BREVIBLOC injection in close proximity (i.e., while cardiac effects from the other are still present); fatal cardiac arrests have occurred in patients receiving BREVIBLOC injection and intravenous verapamil.
Esmolol label, drug interactionsCalcium channel antagonists: In patients with depressed myocardial function, use of BREVIBLOC injection with cardiodepressant calcium channel antagonists (e.g., verapamil) can lead to fatal cardiac arrests.
Esmolol Hydrochloride In Water label (WG Critical Care, LLC, May 31, 2024), contraindicationsConcomitant use of IV cardiodepressant calcium-channel antagonists (e.g., verapamil): May cause cardiovascular collapse.
Source: FDA drug label (Esmolol Hydrochloride In Water, NDA205703), WG Critical Care, LLC, effective May 31, 2024 (SPL set 60b10020-f802-4fef-a487-0f11eca246c5), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Brevibloc), Baxter Healthcare Company, effective March 14, 2025 (SPL set 595cc3d5-1306-4828-aefa-5595219ffd62), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the verapamil label say about esmolol?
Verapamil's label does not name esmolol itself; it warns about its class (Beta blockers):
Verapamil label, drug interactionsAsymptomatic bradycardia (36 beats/min) with a wandering atrial pacemaker has been observed in a patient receiving concomitant timolol (a beta-adrenergic blocker) eyedrops and oral verapamil.
Verapamil label, drug interactionsVerapamil administered concomitantly with oral antihypertensive agents (e.g., vasodilators, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers) will usually have an additive effect on lowering blood pressure.
Source: FDA drug label (Verapamil hydrochloride), Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc., effective April 6, 2026 (SPL set e19ab8d8-dae5-489d-9805-7e7407bea06d), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Esmolol | Verapamil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation | High blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation, Angina |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | n/a | $0.191 per tablet 180 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once