Calcium Channel Blocker Side Effects (Cont.)

Serious Side Effects of Calcium Channel Blockers

There are a number of less common, but more serious side effects with calcium channel blockers that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Chest pain
  • Heart attack
  • Signs of very low blood pressure, such as dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when accompanied by fainting
  • Severe swelling, water retention, or difficulty breathing, which may be signs of heart failure
  • Depression
  • Paranoia
  • Breast enlargement in men (gynecomastia)
  • Temporary blindness
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, including an unexplained rash, hives, itching, unexplained swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
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A Summary of Calcium Channel Blocker Side Effects

It is possible that you may experience some or none of these calcium channel blocker side effects explained above. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect of the calcium channel blocker, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
 
You can also read about specific side effects for each individual calcium channel blocker by going to the specific drug within the eMedTV Web site.

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;