Verapamil Hcl (Verapamil Hcl)
Overview of Verapamil Hcl
Verapamil is an oral and parenteral calcium-channel blocking (CCB) agent. Verapamil Hcl is useful for the treatment of angina, hypertension, and for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias. Verapamil is considered a class IV antiarrhythmic agent and Verapamil Hcl is more effective than digoxin for controlling ventricular rate in patients with atrial fibrillation. Verapamil was synthesized in 1962 and, in 1981, became the first calcium channel blocker to be approved by the FDA. Verapamil inhibits the influx of extracellular calcium across the myocardial and vascular smooth muscle cell membranes. It exerts its activity at the membrane surface of arterial smooth muscle cells and within conductile and contractile tissue in the myocardium, but the serum calcium levels remain unchanged.
Indication of Verapamil Hcl
Verapamil Hcl is primarily indicated in conditions like Angina, Cardiac arrhythmia, Hypertension, Ischaemic heart disease, Paroxysmal tachyarrhythmias, Supraventricular arrhythmias, Supraventricular tachycardia, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Cardiomyopathy, Migraine, Psychosis, Pulmonary hypertension.
Contraindication of Verapamil Hcl
Verapamil (HCl) is contraindicated in conditions like Heart failure,Bradycardia,Platelet dysfunction.
Side Effects of Verapamil Hcl
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Verapamil (HCl), which give rise to further complications include Hepatotoxicity, Impotence, Mental confusion, Hyperprolactinemia, Myoclonic dystonia.,Verapamil (HCl) produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Cardiac arrhythmias, Heart failure. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Verapamil (HCl) therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Verapamil (HCl) include Bradycardia, Hypotension, AV block.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Verapamil (HCl) are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Headache, Fatigue, Nausea, Palpitation, Constipation, Flushing.
Precautions of Verapamil Hcl
Verapamil should be used with caution in patients with liver or kidney impairment. Consider decrease in dose of calcium channel blockers and monitor drug response in cirrhosis patients.