Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Verapamil and PVCs

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Palpitation


I am in my 40s. I have been taking Verapamil, 180 mg per day - half in the morning and half before bed. I take it for PVCs that I have suffered with for many years. Before taking Verapamil, I would experience strings of skips of up to 40 - 50 skips from time to time. I haven't had any strings since taking Verapamil but I still have a skip from time to time. These skips seem very forcefull. I have had all the tests. I don't drink, smoke or use caffiene. Since taking Verapamil, I have experienced tiredness and constipation. I also am feeling depressed having lost 16 pounds since starting it in early February. Are these common side effects? Am I better off not even taking the medicine and dealing with the skips? Is there some other medication that might help? I have taken Atenolol in the past - I'm not sure why my doctor switched meds. If I exercise, I am more likely to have skips and they cause me to be emotionally upset to the point that I lie down and cry. I wish someone could help stop these skips. Thank you for your help.


Dear J.R., thank you for your question. Fatigue and constipation are indeed common side effects of verapamil. Atenolol is in a class of medications known as beta blockers that are usually more effective at reducing palpitations. Beta blockers can cause fatigue, but usually don't cause constipation. If you are young and otherwise healthy and your physician has ruled out structural heart disease, you have "benign" PVC's that won't harm you. However, PVC's can be disconcerting as you have found. My best advice to you is not to worry about the PVC's and check out the archived questions here which have many similar stories like yours.

I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck!

If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart
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