Toxicity to pets

Calcium channel blockers are a common type of heart medication used in both human and veterinary medicine for heart disease and blood pressure regulation. While calcium channel blockers are commonly used in cats and dogs, accidental overdose can result in severe, life-threatening poisoning due to the drug’s narrow margin of safety. This means that only a small amount of the drug can result in severe poisoning. Overdose can result in heart failure, very slow heart rate, severe hypotension (low blood pressure) and secondary kidney injury. Early intervention, decontamination and cardiovascular monitoring is necessary.