MajorCentral α2-adrenergic agonist×Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
Updated · Methodology
Mechanism
Additive bradycardia and AV block. Clonidine lowers sympathetic tone; verapamil directly blocks the AV node.
Symptoms
Bradycardia (heart rate below 50/min), dizziness, syncope. ECG: first- to second-degree AV block. Older patients: fall and fracture risk.
Management
Avoid the combination, especially in older patients. Alternative calcium channel blockers: amlodipine or nifedipine (no AV effect). Alternative to clonidine: an ACE-I or ARB with a diuretic.
Check the full regimen, not just this pair
Opens the checker with these two drugs prefilled. Add the rest of the regimen and recompute additive risks.
Summary of a multi-drug list →
Medicine list: everything you take in one place →
Sources
- FDA: Verapamil hydrochloride tablet (Zydus Lifesciences Limited) – Prescribing Information section 7 (2017)– ; DailyMed setid 051392d3-8ec1-450c-8c38-791d4ef1a2db