Like all medicines, verapamil can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.
Side effects often get better as your body gets used to the medicine.
Common side effects of verapamil
There are things you can do to help cope with the side effects of verapamil:
Constipation
Get more fibre into your diet, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try to exercise more regularly, for example, by going for a daily walk or run. If you can, it may also help to increase your level of exercise.
Feeling or being sick
Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. It might help to take your verapamil after a meal or snack.
If you are being sick, try to take small, frequent sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if you're being sick for more than 1 or 2 days.
Flushing
Try cutting down on coffee and tea. It might help to keep the room cool and use a fan. You could also spray your face with cool water or sip cold or iced drinks.
The flushing should go away after a few days.
Headaches
Make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Paracetamol is safe to take with verapamil. Talk to your doctor if they do not go away or are severe.
Feeling dizzy or tired
If verapamil makes you feel dizzy, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. If it makes you feel tired make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink alcohol as this may make your symptoms worse.
Do not drive, ride a bike or operate tools or machinery until you feel OK.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects can happen while taking verapamil.
Call your doctor or call 111 straight away if:
- the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow, although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin, or you have dark pee – these can be signs of liver problems
- you have swelling in your hands, feet, ankles or legs
If you get chest pain and you've already been diagnosed with angina, follow the instructions you've been given for treating your angina.
- Stop what you're doing and rest.
- Use any medicine you've been prescribed – this is usually glyceryl trinitrate (GTN).
- Take another dose after 5 minutes if the first dose does not help.
- If you still have symptoms 5 minutes after taking the 2nd dose, call 999 for an ambulance.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- you get chest pain that does not stop after a few minutes, and you may also feel sweaty, sick, light-headed or short of breath – this could be a sign of a heart attack
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to verapamil.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of verapamil. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.