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Verapamil Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Warnings

Brand names: Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Isoptin IV, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM

Verapamil Pregnancy Warnings

Use is recommended only if clearly needed and the benefit outweighs the risk.

AU TGA pregnancy category: C
US FDA pregnancy category: C

Comments:
-The IV formulation should be avoided for the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy.
-Newborns exposed to this drug should be monitored for fetal hypoxia.

Animal studies have failed to reveal evidence of teratogenicity; however, there was evidence of embryolethality and retarded fetal growth/fetotoxicity at doses which produced maternal toxicity. This drug crosses the human placenta and can be detected in umbilical vein blood during delivery. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

AU TGA pregnancy category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

See references

Verapamil Breastfeeding Warnings

Use is not recommended and a decision should be made to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

In case studies where verapamil concentration in human milk was calculated, the nursing infant doses ranged from less than 0.01% to 0.1% of the mother's dose. Possible infant exposure should be considered when verapamil is administered to a nursing woman.

See references

See also

References for pregnancy information

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Calan (verapamil)." Searle
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Isoptin (verapamil)." Knoll Pharmaceutical Company
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Covera-HS (verapamil)." Searle
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  6. (2010) "Product Information. Verelan PM (verapamil)." Schwarz Pharma

References for breastfeeding information

  1. (2001) "Product Information. Calan (verapamil)." Searle
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Isoptin (verapamil)." Knoll Pharmaceutical Company
  3. (2001) "Product Information. Covera-HS (verapamil)." Searle
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  6. (2010) "Product Information. Verelan PM (verapamil)." Schwarz Pharma
  7. United States National Library of Medicine (2013) Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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