Verapamil Hydrochloride (10 brand names, 5 dosage forms, 3 routes)
Available dosage forms: INJECTABLE, SOLUTION, CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE, TABLET, TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE.
Routes of administration: INJECTION, INTRAVENOUS, ORAL.
Brand Names
- CALAN
- CALAN SR
- COVERA-HS
- ISOPTIN
- TARKA
- TRANDOLAPRIL AND VERAPAMIL HYDROCHLORIDE
- VERAPAMIL HCL
- VERAPAMIL HYDROCHLORIDE
- VERELAN
- VERELAN PM
Indications and Usage
Verapamil Hydrochloride Injection, USP is indicated for the following: Rapid conversion to sinus rhythm of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias, including those associated with accessory bypass tracts (Wolff-Parkinson-White [W-P-W] and Lown-Ganong-Levine [L-G-L] syndromes). When clinically advisable, appropriate vagal maneuvers (e.g., Valsalva maneuver) should be attempted prior to verapamil hydrochloride administration. Temporary control of rapid ventricular rate in atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation except when the atrial flutter and/or atrial fibrillation are associated with accessory bypass tracts (Wolff-Parkinson-White (W-P-W) and Lown-Ganong-Levine (L-G-L) syndromes). In controlled studies in the United States, about 60% of patients with supraventricular tachycardia converted to normal sinus rhythm within 10 minutes after intravenous verapamil hydrochloride. Uncontrolled studies reported in the world literature describe a conversion rate of about 80%. About 70% of patients with atrial flutter and/or fibrillation with a faster ventricular rate respond with a decrease in ventricular rate of at least 20%. Conversion of atrial flutter or fibrillation to sinus rhythm is uncommon (about 10%) after verapamil hydrochloride and may reflect the spontaneous conversion rate, since the conversion rate after placebo was similar. Slowing of the ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter lasts 30 to 60 minutes after a single injection. Because a small fraction (<1%) of patients treated with verapamil hydrochloride respond with life-threatening adverse responses (rapid ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation, and an accessory bypass tract, marked hypotension, or extreme bradycardia/asystole - see CONTRAINDICATIONS and WARNINGS), the initial use of verapamil hydrochloride injection should, if possible, be in a treatment setting with monitoring and resuscitation facilities , including D.C.-cardioversion capability (see ADVERSE REACTIONS, Suggest
Dosage and Administration
FOR INTRAVENOUS USE ONLY. VERAPAMIL HYDROCHLORIDE INJECTION SHOULD BE GIVEN AS A SLOW INTRAVENOUS INJECTION OVER AT LEAST A TWO-MINUTE PERIOD OF TIME UNDER CONTINUOUS ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC (ECG) AND BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING. The recommended intravenous doses of verapamil hydrochloride injection are as follows: Adult: Initial dose - 5 to 10 mg (0.075 to 0.15 mg/kg body weight) given as an intravenous bolus over at least 2 minutes. Repeat dose - 10 mg (0.15 mg/kg body weight) 30 minutes after the first dose if the initial response is not adequate. An optimal interval for subsequent intravenous doses has not been determined, and should be individualized for each patient. Older patients - The dose should be administered over at least 3 minutes to minimize the risk of untoward drug effects. Pediatric: Initial dose: 0 to 1 year: 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg body weight (usual single dose range: 0.75 to 2 mg) should be administered as an intravenous bolus over at least 2 minutes under continuous ECG monitoring. 1 to 15 years: 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg body weight (usual single dose range: 2 to 5 mg) should be administered as an intravenous bolus over at least 2 minutes. Do not exceed 5 mg. Repeat dose: 0 to 1 year: 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg body weight (usual single dose range: 0.75 to 2 mg) 30 minutes after the first dose if the initial response is not adequate (under continuous ECG monitoring). An optimal interval for subsequent intravenous doses has not been determined, and should be individualized for each patient. 1 to 15 years: 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg body weight (usual single dose range: 2 to 5 mg) 30 minutes after the first dose if the initial response is not adequate. Do not exceed 10 mg as a single dose. An optimal interval for subsequent intravenous doses has not been determined, and should be individualized for each patient. Note: Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Use only
Contraindications
Verapamil hydrochloride injection is contraindicated in: Severe hypotension or cardiogenic shock. Second- or third-degree AV block (except in patients with a functioning artificial ventricular pacemaker). Sick sinus syndrome (except in patients with a functioning artificial ventricular pacemaker). Severe congestive heart failure (unless secondary to a supraventricular tachycardia amenable to verapamil therapy). Patients receiving intravenous beta-adrenergic blocking drugs (e.g., propranolol). Intravenous verapamil and intravenous beta-adrenergic blocking drugs should not be administered in close proximity to each other (within a few hours), since both may have a depressant effect on myocardial contractility and AV conduction. Patients with atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation and an accessory bypass tract (e.g., Wolff- Parkinson-White, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndromes) are at risk to develop ventricular tachyarrhythmia including ventricular fibrillation if verapamil is administered. Therefore, the use of verapamil in these patients is contraindicated. Ventricular tachycardia: Administration of intravenous verapamil to patients with wide-complex ventricular tachycardia (QRS ≥ 0.12 sec) can result in marked hemodynamic deterioration and ventricular fibrillation. Proper pretherapy diagnosis and differentiation from wide-complex supraventricular tachycardia is imperative in the emergency room setting. Known hypersensitivity to verapamil hydrochloride.
Adverse Reactions
The following reactions were reported with verapamil hydrochloride injection used in controlled U.S. clinical trials involving 324 patients: Cardiovascular: Symptomatic hypotension (1.5%); bradycardia (1.2%); severe tachycardia (1.0%). The worldwide experience in open clinical trials in more than 7,900 patients was similar. Central Nervous System Effects: Dizziness (1.2%); headache (1.2%). Occasional cases of seizures during verapamil injection have been reported. Gastrointestinal: Nausea (0.9%); abdominal discomfort (0.6%). In rare cases of hypersensitive patients, broncho/laryngeal spasm accompanied by itch and urticaria has been reported. The following reactions have been reported at low frequency: emotional depression, rotary nystagmus, sleepiness, vertigo, muscle fatigue, diaphoresis, and respiratory failure. Suggested Treatment of Acute Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions* The frequency of these adverse reactions was quite low, and experience with their treatment has been limited. Adverse Reaction Proven Effective Treatment Supportive Treatment 1. Symptomatic hypotension requiring treatment Dopamine intravenous Calcium chloride intravenous Norepinephrine bitartrate intravenous Metaraminol bitartrate intravenous Isoproterenol HCl intravenous Intravenous fluids Trendelenburg position 2. Bradycardia, AV block, Asystole Isoproterenol HCl intravenous Calcium chloride intravenous Norepinephrine bitartrate intravenous Atropine intravenous Cardiac pacing Intravenous fluids (slow drip) 3. Rapid ventricular rate (due to antegrade conduction in flutter/fibrillation with W-P-W or L-G-L syndromes) DC-cardioversion (high energy may be required) Procainamide intravenous Lidocaine intravenous Intravenous fluids (slow drip) *Actual treatment and dosage should depend on the severity of the clinical situation and the judgment and experience of the treating physician.
Overdosage
Treatment of overdosage should be supportive and individualized. Beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or parenteral administration of calcium solutions may increase calcium injections ion flux across the slow channel, and have been effectively used in treatment of deliberate overdosage with oral verapamil hydrochloride. Verapamil cannot be removed by hemodialysis. Clinically significant hypotensive reactions or high-degree AV block should be treated with vasopressor agents or cardiac pacing, respectively. Asystole should be handled by the usual measures including isoproterenol hydrochloride, other vasopressor agents, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (see ADVERSE REACTIONS: Suggested Treatment of Acute Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions).