From the FDA Drug Label
The dose of verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets should be individualized by titration and the drug should be administered with food.
Verapamil should be taken with food. This is based on the information provided in the drug label for Verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets 1.
From the Research
Verapamil can be taken with or without food, but taking it with food is generally recommended to reduce stomach irritation and side effects. When considering the administration of verapamil, it's essential to look at the most recent and highest quality studies to guide clinical practice. The study by 2 found that concomitant food administration significantly prolonged the tmax of SR-verapamil, but had little effect on Cmax, t1/2, or AUC, suggesting that taking verapamil with food does not significantly impact its bioavailability. However, other studies such as 3 have shown that food can affect the bioequivalence of different verapamil sustained-release formulations, potentially leading to increased conduction disturbances in some individuals. Despite these findings, the overall consensus in the literature is that verapamil can be taken with or without food, and the decision to take it with food should be based on individual patient factors, such as the presence of stomach irritation or other side effects. Some key points to consider when taking verapamil include:
- Taking immediate-release verapamil three to four times per day, or extended-release formulations once or twice daily as prescribed
- Swallowing extended-release tablets whole without crushing or chewing to avoid releasing too much medication at once
- Maintaining consistent blood levels by taking verapamil at the same times each day
- Considering a switch to an extended-release formulation if significant side effects or difficulty remembering multiple daily doses occur.