Calcium channel blockers can cause low blood pressure (hypotension). Let your healthcare provider know if you have any signs of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have any upcoming surgeries. Depending on the type of anesthetic, you may need to stop taking your calcium channel blocker a few days before surgery.
Calcium channel blockers can make chest pain worse or even cause heart attacks. This is more likely to happen in people who have severe heart disease. Tell your healthcare provider if your chest pain becomes worse while you are taking a calcium channel blocker.
Rarely, people taking calcium channel blockers with a beta blocker have developed congestive heart failure (CHF). This is more likely to occur in people with a condition called aortic stenosis.
Calcium channel blockers can cause water retention (edema). Because water retention can be dangerous in people who have congestive heart failure (CHF), calcium channel blockers should be used cautiously in people who have CHF.
Calcium channel blockers are considered a pregnancy Category C medication. This means that calcium channel blockers may not be safe to use during pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare provider about the risks and benefits of using calcium channel blockers during pregnancy (see Calcium Channel Blockers and Pregnancy for more information).
Calcium channel blockers do pass through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding or plan to start breastfeeding, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about using calcium channel blockers (see Calcium Channel Blockers and Breastfeeding for more information).
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