verapamil
Used for Hypertension and Unstable Angina
NowPatient helps you obtain your verapamil prescription for free or at low-cost. Drug savings programs are suitable for individuals who are insured, don't have insurance or are underinsured and can't afford your medicine.
Manufactured by various FDA-approved generic manufacturers.
*You can pay as little as $0 per fill using Drug Coupons or Patient Assistance Programs. Subject to applicability & eligibility requirements.
This content is intended for US audiences only
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verapamil key facts
What dosages is verapamil available in?
verapamil is available as a 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, and 360 mg extended-release oral tablet.
What is verapamil used for?
verapamil is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) used for high blood pressure
How does verapamil work?
verapamil is a calcium channel blocker (CCB). It works by blocking calcium from entering your heart muscle. This helps lower how much your heart works to squeeze (contract) and relax. It also relaxes and opens up your blood vessels, including those of your heart. By relaxing your heart muscle and blood vessels, verapamil helps lower your blood pressure.
How do I take verapamil?
verapamil is typically taken by mouth once daily in the morning. Your dose might differ if you’re of older age, have low body weight, or have liver or kidney problems.
Is it safe for me to take verapamil?
verapamil is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not take this medication if you have severe left ventricular dysfunction, hypotension (systolic pressure less than 90 mm Hg) or cardiogenic shock, sick sinus syndrome (except in patients with a functioning artificial ventricular pacemaker), second- or third-degree AV block (except in patients with a functioning artificial ventricular pacemaker), or atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation and an accessory bypass tract (eg, Wolff-Parkinson-White, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndromes).
verapamil Common Side Effects
Common side effects of verapamil include:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
- Sleepiness
- Stomach discomfort (e.g., nausea, diarrhea)
verapamil Serious Side Effects
Serious side effects are rare with verapamil. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart rhythm problems: chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, fainting, feeling like your heart skipped a beat, severe tiredness
- Heart failure: shortness of breath, cough, tiredness, swelling of arms or legs, quick weight gain, dizziness
- Liver problems: yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), stomach pain or swelling, loss of appetite, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, confusion
- Low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness or tiredness, blurred vision, feeling thirsty, sweating, cold or pale skin, confusion, fast breathing
Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on verapamil
The following medications may interact with verapamil:
- Cytochrome inducers/inhibitors – Clinically significant interactions have been reported with inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g., erythromycin, ritonavir) causing elevation of plasma levels of verapamil while inducers of CYP3A4 (e.g., rifampin) have caused a lowering of plasma levels of verapamil
- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors – The use of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors that are CYP3A4 substrates in combination with verapamil has been associated with reports of myopathy/rhabdomyolysis.
- Ivabradine – Concurrent use of verapamil increases exposure to ivabradine and may exacerbate bradycardia and conduction disturbances. Avoid co-administration of verapamil and ivabradine.
- Aspirin – In a few reported cases, co-administration of verapamil with aspirin has led to increased bleeding times greater than observed with aspirin alone
- Grapefruit juice – Grapefruit juice may increase plasma levels of verapamil
- Alcohol – verapamil may increase blood alcohol concentrations and prolong its effects
- Lithium – Increased sensitivity to the effects of lithium (neurotoxicity) has been reported during concomitant verapamil-lithium therapy; lithium levels have been observed sometimes to increase, sometimes to decrease, and sometimes to be unchanged. Patients receiving both drugs must be monitored carefully
Who makes verapamil?
Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers
Is verapamil safe in pregnancy?
It is not known if verapamil will harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant while receiving verapamil, talk to your healthcare provider.
The FDA's medical product safety reporting program for health professionals, patients and consumers.
Learn more about reporting side effects in the USDrug Savings Guide
A practical guide to saving money and receiving support with prescription costs
How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my verapamil prescription?
After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your verapamil prescription
Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.
How do the NowPatient verapamil savings programs work?
After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.
Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.
Are the NowPatient verapamil savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?
No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.
| Rx Advantage Card* for verapamil | Canadian Prescription Savings* for verapamil | verapamil Drug Coupon* | verapamil Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Insured (federal, state or government) | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured (Commercial or Private) | Available | Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Uninsured | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage | Available | Available | Not Available | Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
*This is not insurance.
Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of verapamil?
No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below
| Rx Advantage Card* for verapamil | Canadian Prescription Savings* for verapamil | verapamil Drug Coupon* | verapamil Patient Assistance Program* | |
| Brand | Yes | Yes | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company | Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company |
| Generic | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*This is not insurance.
If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the verapamil savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?
If you are insured with Medicare and the verapamil drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.
If you are denied Medicaid for verapamil, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the verapamil prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, verapamil is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed verapamil for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.
I am commercially or privately insured and none of the verapamil prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?
If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.
However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.
The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.
If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the verapamil prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?
If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:
1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for verapamil
If you are having trouble paying for your verapamil medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for verapamil you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:
- Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
- verapamil is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
- You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
- You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers verapamil
- If verapamil is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications
You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.
2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for verapamil
If you are having trouble paying for your verapamil medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for verapamil you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You live in and are being treated in the United States
- You are insured and your plan covers verapamil
- If verapamil is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications
You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.
3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for verapamil
Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your verapamil treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for verapamil you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must be currently insured and have coverage for verapamil
- You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
- You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
- Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
- Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.
You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.
Medical Disclaimer
NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.
The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.
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