Can I eat grapefruit with Verapamil?

No, avoid it. Do not eat or drink grapefruit. It increases verapamil levels in your body and makes side effects worse.

Can I drink alcohol with Verapamil?

Yes, with care. Verapamil increases alcohol levels in your body and prolongs its effects. Avoid alcohol for the first few days.

Can I eat rich or spicy food with Verapamil?

Yes, with care. Stick to simple meals if you feel or are being sick. Avoid rich or spicy food.

Can I drink coffee with Verapamil?

Yes, with care. Try cutting down on coffee if you get flushing. It may help the flushing go away.

Can I drink tea with Verapamil?

Yes, with care. Try cutting down on tea if you get flushing. It may help the flushing go away.

Free tool

Can I eat this with Verapamil?

Grapefruit increases verapamil levels and worsens side effects. Alcohol levels rise and stay higher. Some foods help manage common side effects like constipation or nausea.

Also sold as Cordilox, Cordilox MR, Ethimil MR, Half Securon SR, Ranvera MR, Securon IV, Securon SR, Univer, Vera-Til SR, Verapress MR, Vertab SR, Zolvera. Brand names from the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices.

Type any food below for an instant verdict — we check 68 foods and drinks for Verapamil (10 to avoid, 49 to take care with) — or tap one below.

Quick answers

Should I take Verapamil with food?: You can take verapamil with or without food.
Can I eat grapefruit with Verapamil?: No, avoid it. Do not eat or drink grapefruit. It increases verapamil levels in your body and makes side effects worse.
Can I drink alcohol with Verapamil?: Yes, with care. Verapamil increases alcohol levels in your body and prolongs its effects. Avoid alcohol for the first few days.
Can I eat rich or spicy food with Verapamil?: Yes, with care. Stick to simple meals if you feel or are being sick. Avoid rich or spicy food.
Can I drink coffee with Verapamil?: Yes, with care. Try cutting down on coffee if you get flushing. It may help the flushing go away.
Can I drink tea with Verapamil?: Yes, with care. Try cutting down on tea if you get flushing. It may help the flushing go away.

Grounded in the checker below. Not a substitute for your pharmacist.

1 · What do you take?

Verapamilalso Securon, Verapress, Vera-Til

Grapefruit increases verapamil levels and worsens side effects. Alcohol levels rise and stay higher. Some foods help manage common side effects like constipation or nausea.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking verapamil, as it increases the medicine in your body and makes side effects worse. Verapamil affects how your body clears alcohol, increasing alcohol levels and prolonging its effects. You can take verapamil with or without food. Eating more fibre and drinking water can help with constipation; simple meals may reduce nausea.

Browse our medication food guides →

2 · What do you want to eat or drink?

When to take it: You can take verapamil with or without food.

Tap a food to see the answer, or type any food or drink in the box above.

Foods to avoid with Verapamil· 10

Take care with Verapamil· 49

Fine with Verapamil· 9

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This checker summarises published guidance (NHS medicine pages, patient information leaflets and drug labels) for general information only. It is not medical advice, it is not exhaustive, and it cannot account for your dose, kidney function, other medicines, or health conditions. Always follow your prescriber, pharmacist, or the patient information leaflet — especially before changing what you eat or drink. See our editorial policy.

Food groups that matter with Verapamil

Every medicine each one affects, on one page.

Affected by the same foods as Verapamil.