Verpamil SR (Verapamil 240mg) Tablets

Verpamil SR tablets 240mg contains contain verapamil, a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension and angina, and for secondary prevention of heart attack.

Verpamil SR general information

What is Verpamil SR used for?

Verpamil SR tablets 240mg are used to treat essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease and Verpamil tablets SR 240mg reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, by lowering blood pressure to normal resting levels.  Verpamil SR tablets 240mg are also used to treat various forms of angina pectoris, which is when the heart does not receive sufficient blood flow and oxygen, to relieve symptoms like chest pain and to prevent heart attack.  These include chronic stable angina that usually only occurs on exertion; vasospastic angina (also known as Prinzmetal's or variant angina), which is an acute angina attack due to coronary artery spasm that can occur at rest; unstable angina (also known as crescendo angina), which is a form of acute coronary syndrome caused by a blood clot blocking an artery causing sudden chest pains at rest and can result in a heart attack; angina following a myocardial infarction (heart attack).  For patients who have recently had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) Verpamil SR tablets 240mg are used for secondary prevention of another acute heart attack in cases where other medications like beta blockers cannot be tolerated.   

How does Verpamil SR work?

Verpamil SR tablets 240mg contain verapamil, a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension and angina.  Verpamil in Verpamil SR tablets 240mg works by inhibiting the inflow of calcium ions across specific calcium channels in the cell membrane into smooth muscle cells of the heart (myocardium) and blood vessel walls (only arteries).  Calcium is needed for smooth muscle cells to contract; by blocking calcium channels, smooth muscle cells contraction is prevented.  Verapamil in Verpamil SR tablets 240mg blocks calcium channels in smooth muscle cells, allowing peripheral arteries to relax and widen (vasodilation) and this reduces the workload on the heart, and the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body (negative inotropic effect); increases oxygen supply to the heart; and decreases blood pressure.  Verpamil SR tablets 240mg also causes widening of the main arteries of the heart, increasing the oxygen supply to the heart and, as the heart workload is reduced, the demand for oxygen is also reduced, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle. 

What does Verpamil SR contain?

Verpamil SR tablets 240mg contains the active ingredient verapamil, a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension and angina.  They also contain sodium alginate, povidone, microcrystalline cellulose, purified talc, magnesium stearate, polyvinyl alcohol, titanium dioxide, macrogol, D & C yellow #10 aluminium lake, brilliant blue FCF aluminium lake, and sunset yellow FCF aluminium lake (E110).

Treating Angina with Verpamil SR

Verpamil SR tablets 240mg contains verapamil, a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat various forms of angina pectoris, which is when the heart does not receive sufficient blood flow and oxygen, to relieve symptoms like chest pain and to prevent heart attack.  These include chronic stable angina that usually only occurs on exertion; vasospastic angina (also known as Prinzmetal's or variant angina), which is an acute angina attack due to coronary artery spasm that can occur at rest; unstable angina (also known as crescendo angina), which is a form of acute coronary syndrome caused by a blood clot blocking an artery that causes sudden chest pains at rest and can result in a heart attack; angina following a myocardial infarction (heart attack).  For patients who have recently had a heart attack (myocardial infarction) Verpamil SR tablets 240mg are used for secondary prevention of another acute heart attack in cases where other medications like beta blockers cannot be tolerated.  Verapamil in Verpamil SR tablets 240mg blocks the inflow of calcium ions, which are needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries).  This causes blood vessel walls to relax and peripheral arteries to widen.  The action of verapamil in Isoptin SR 240mg reduces the workload on the heart and its demand for oxygen, while at the same time increasing oxygen supply to the heart, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle. 

Verpamil SR for hypertension (high blood pressure)

Verpamil SR tablets 240mg contains verapamil, a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease and Verpamil tablets SR 240mg reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, by lowering blood pressure to normal resting levels.  Verapamil in Verpamil SR tablets 240mg blocks the inflow of calcium ions, which are needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries).  This allows peripheral arteries to relax and widen (vasodilation), which reduces peripheral resistance, lowers the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, and decreases blood pressure.   

What are the side effects of Verpamil SR?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Verpamil SR include constipation, abdominal and pain, nausea, headache, flushing, palpitations, tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, itching, oedema (swelling of the ankles, feet, face or hands).

When should Verpamil SR not be used?

You should not use Verpamil SR tablets 240mg if you:

• are allergic to Verpamil or any ingredients in Verpamil SR
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have certain types of abnormal heart rhythm like sick sinus syndrome or atrial fibrillation
• have heart problems including, cardiogenic shock, congestive heart failure, left ventricular failure or myocardial infarction
• have impaired neuromuscular transmission, such as with myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• have hypotension (low blood pressure)
• are taking medicines that interact with Verpamil SR including
• beta-blockers like propranolol, other antihypertensives like vasodilators, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ivabradine for angina, digoxin for heart failure, the antiarrhythmics quinidine, flecainide and disopyramide, statins for high cholesterol like simvastatin, the antiepileptic carbamazepine, inhalation anaesthetics like halothane, cimetidine and ranitidine for gastric ulcers or reflux, lithium, buspirone and midazolam for mood disorders, the antiepileptic phenytoin, antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin and rifampicin, sulfinpyrazone and colchicine for gout, theophylline for asthma, the antivirals atazanavir and ritonavir, immunosuppressants like cyclosporine and tacrolimus, the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide, the anti-inflammatory aspirin, grapefruit juice and alcohol

What medications interact with Verpamil SR?

Several medications interact with Verpamil SR tablets 240mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Verpamil SR or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Verpamil SR: beta-blockers like propranolol, vasodilators, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, ivabradine for angina, the antiarrhythmics quinidine, flecainide, and disopyramide, inhalation anaesthetics like halothane, the anti-inflammatory aspirin
• Drugs that affect Verpamil SR: cimetidine and ranitidine for gastric ulcers or reflux, the antiepileptic phenytoin, antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin and rifampicin, sulfinpyrazone for gout, the antivirals atazanavir and ritonavir, grapefruit juice and alcohol
• Drugs that are affected by Verpamil SR: digoxin for heart failure, statins for high cholesterol like simvastatin, the antiepileptic carbamazepine, lithium, buspirone and midazolam for mood disorders, theophylline for asthma, colchicine for gout, immunosuppressants like cyclosporine and tacrolimus, the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, the antidiabetic drug glibenclamide,

How should Verpamil SR be taken?

You should take your Verpamil SR tablets 240mg swallowed whole, with a glass of water, once or twice daily, with food.  The dose you take and for how long depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendation.  If required your doctor may increase your dose.  You should continue to take your Verpamil SR tablets 240mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Verpamil SR?

You should continue to take your Verpamil SR tablets 240mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Verpamil SR

If you miss a dose of Verpamil SR tablets 240mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Verpamil SR be stored?

You should store your Verpamil SR tablets 240mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.