The Basics
What is Verapamil?
Used to treat high blood pressure and to control angina.
Brand names for Verapamil
Verelan
How Verapamil is classified
Antihypertensive Agents, Calcium Channel Blockers, Antiarrhythmics, Vasodilator Agents
Verapamil During Pregnancy
Verapamil pregnancy category
Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Verapamil while pregnant
N/A
Taking Verapamil While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Verapamil?
Limited information indicates that maternal doses of verapamil up to 360 mg daily produce low levels in milk. Newborns may have detectable verapamil serum levels, but levels are low. Verapamil would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Limited information indicates that maternal doses of verapamil up to 360 mg daily produce low levels in milk. Newborns may have detectable verapamil serum levels, but levels are low. Verapamil would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants, especially if the infant is older than 2 months.
Possible effects of Verapamil on milk supply
Verapamil can cause hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea.[5][6] The clinical relevance of these findings in nursing mothers is not known. The maternal prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.
Possible alternatives to Verapamil
(Calcium Channel Blockers) Diltiazem, Nifedipine; (Hypertension) Enalapril, Hydrochlorothiazide, Methyldopa, Propranolol.
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Inoue H, Unno N, Ou MC et al. Level of verapamil in human milk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1984;26:657-8. PMID: 6468488
2. Andersen HJ. Excretion of verapamil in human milk. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1983;25:279-80. Letter. PMID: 6628513
3. Miller MR, Withers R, Bhamra R et al. Verapamil and breast-feeding. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1986;30:125-6. PMID: 3709626
4. Anderson P, Bondesson U, Mattiasson I et al. Verapamil and norverapamil in plasma and breast milk during breast feeding. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1987;31:625-7. PMID: 3830249
5. Gluskin LE, Strasberg B, Shah JH. Verapamil-induced hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea. Ann Intern Med. 1981;95:66-7. PMID: 7195677
6. Fearrington EL, Rand CH Jr, Rose JD. Hyperprolactinemia-galactorrhea induced by verapamil. Am J Cardiol. 1983;51:1466-7. PMID: 6682619
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
