A large part of the world's population suffers from various diseases of the cardiovascular system. A large proportion of pathologies also cause heart rhythm disturbances, which not only negatively affect the general condition of the patient, but can also lead to death without proper treatment. Therefore, doctors, when identifying such symptoms, prescribe a lot of different drugs, among which a special position is occupied by calcium channel blockers, which positively affect the state of the vessels.
One of the most inexpensive means of this category is the drug "Verapamil". Instructions for use, reviews and analogues of this medication will be considered in our article.
What diseases is this drug prescribed for?
As mentioned above, the instructions for use of "Verapamil" refers it to the group of calcium channel blockers. That is, getting into the body, this drug helps to reduce the myocardial oxygen demand, thereby exerting an antiarrhythmic and antihypertensive effect. After taking the necessary dose, the coronary vessels of the heart expand significantly, which, in turn, increases blood flow and lowers vascular resistance. This has a positive effect on the condition of patients suffering, for example, from angina pectoris. Therefore, it is prescribed for chronic, unstable and vasospastic variations of this disease.
Also, the instructions for use of Verapamil recommends taking it in the presence of the following pathologies:
- Numerous diseases of the cardiovascular system. Doctors also prescribe it to prevent their appearance. The drug is prescribed for tachycardia, supraventricular extrasystole and other cardiac arrhythmias.
- Arterial hypertension. These pills improve blood flow, therefore they are able to effectively lower the patient's pressure.
The composition of the drug and its form of release
This drug is very popular among patients and doctors, as it has a low cost. You can buy one package for only 30-50 rubles, which, of course, attracts older people, whose funds are never in abundance. However, it is worth noting that tablets are only available on prescription. Therefore, it is necessary to take it only after consulting with your attending physician in order to prevent the possible occurrence of complications.
The drug is released in the form of tablets and a solution for intravenous administration. The main active ingredient in both forms is verapamil hydrochloride. The instructions for use also indicate that the composition of the tablets additionally includes such auxiliary components as disubstituted calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, purified talc and others. The solution contains sodium chloride, citric acid monohydrate, ordinary water, concentrated hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.
One tablet of the drug contains 40 mg of the active substance, in one ampoule of the solution - 5 mg. The first variation of the drug is produced in blisters (5 or 10 pieces), which are packed in cardboard boxes. In one blister - standard 10 tablets. They have a rounded shape, white color and are covered with a film membrane. The solution is released in transparent glass ampoules, packed in contour cells.
The shelf life of the drug for both ampoules and tablets is 3 years. During this time, the medicine should be stored in a cold and protected from moisture place, inaccessible to children or pets.
The main contraindications
Of course, not all drugs are equally safe for health. A lot of contraindications are indicated in the instructions for use of Verapamil. At what pressure should this drug not be used? Many patients do not know the answer to this question, often using it for any heart problems. But with reduced pressure, it can do much harm, as it was created to combat hypertension. Accordingly, the drug will lower it even more, which will only worsen the condition of the patient. Therefore, it is so important to take the drug under the supervision of the attending physician.
The instructions for use of Verapamil also indicate the following contraindications, in which it is not recommended to be treated with this medication:
- Severe heart failure of a chronic or acute form.
- Syndromes of Wolf-Parkinson-White and Morgagni-Adams-Stokes.
- Sinoatrial blockade - that is, a noticeable violation of the heart rhythm.
- Bradycardia is a pathology due to which the frequency of heart disorders can drop to 40 beats per minute. Taking the drug in this case will lead to an even greater slowdown in heart rate.
- Cardiogenic shock. However, with this pathology, taking a medication is possible if the disease was caused by arrhythmia.
- Hypersensitivity or the appearance of allergic reactions caused by any of the components that make up the product.
Also, the drug is not allowed to be used in conjunction with beta-blockers, since they can greatly reduce the effectiveness of each other. In addition, doctors do not recommend the use of tablets to patients who have any liver disease, including chronic failure. The drug is excreted from the body by this particular organ, so its regular intake will create an additional burden on it. With abnormal liver function, Verapamil's output from the body also slows down, so sometimes doctors prescribe only the minimum dosage.
What side effects can this remedy cause?
When taking any remedy, unfortunately, we cannot exclude the possibility of side effects. However, the drug we are describing has been well studied, so experts are confident that the chance of their occurrence is quite low. However, it is still worth knowing about them in order to timely detect the presence of unpleasant symptoms and stop taking it. After this, of course, you will also need to inform your doctor about them, especially if they do not go away for a long time.
Instructions for use "Verapamil" (40 mg), depending on the localization, divides all side effects into several groups. So, from the cardiovascular system, taking the drug can cause redness of the face, a strong decrease in heart rate, arterial hypotension. When using the maximum dosage, symptoms of heart failure may occur.
The digestive system can also negatively respond to taking this remedy. For example, patients complain of prolonged nausea, developing into vomiting, persistent constipation. If the liver is examined during admission, then in some cases it is also possible to detect an increase in transaminase activity in blood plasma. Patients in rare cases complain of dizziness and headaches. Inhibition of consciousness or increased irritability, as well as severe fatigue, are sometimes diagnosed. And, of course, the manifestation of allergic reactions, for example, itchy skin, is not excluded.
In this case, the instructions for use of Verapamil ampoules describe additional side effects. It is worth noting that with intravenous administration, the risk of angina pectoris increases, which can lead to myocardial infarction. Patients also appear anxiety, drowsiness, and with prolonged use - fainting and depression. If the drug is injected too quickly, cardiac collapse and asystole are possible. Maximum dosage may result in gradual loss of vision and pulmonary edema.
Tablets "Verapamil": instructions for use
The dosage and rules of admission, of course, should be prescribed only by the attending physician, who is knowledgeable in detail about all the diseases and pathologies of his patient. Norms will also vary depending on the form of the drug itself. First, we will talk in more detail about how to use the tablets correctly.
Instructions for use "Verapamil" (40 mg) recommends using the tablets only during or after meals. You can drink them with a small amount of clean and cool water. The dosage, as a rule, is prescribed strictly individually, and it depends, first of all, on the condition of the patient. At the same time, as mentioned above, normal liver function is also taken into account. If her work is impaired, then the maximum allowable dosage will be 120 mg, since she simply cannot withdraw a larger amount of the active substance on time.
For the prevention of angina pectoris, as well as for the treatment of high blood pressure, doctors recommend taking 40-80 mg orally 3-4 times a day. That is, at one time you will need to use 1 or 2 tablets. With serious pathologies, the dosage can be increased to 120-160 mg at a time. However, it is worth remembering that the maximum amount of the drug that can be consumed per day is 480 mg. Otherwise, an overdose may occur.
Of course, a completely different solution is used. Instructions for use "Verapamil" (240 mg - this is how much active substance is contained in 1 ml of the drug) strongly recommends injecting the drug into a vein slowly. One ampoule should be administered within two minutes, and for the elderly - three minutes. In this case, a monitoring of the state of the heart with the help of an electrocardiogram is mandatory.
More on overdose and its consequences
Verapamil is a serious drug, so you should carefully monitor its dosage. With its increase, it is important to consult a doctor on time, since there is a high risk of complications associated with the work of the cardiovascular system.
As a rule, the first symptoms may appear when the maximum daily dose (480 mg) is exceeded, however, they become most pronounced when it exceeds more than 600 mg. A similar amount of the drug can cause deep loss of consciousness, arterial hypertension. In turn, they can go into sinus bradycardia - a decrease in heart rate to 40 beats per minute or less, as well as asystole. This pathology is most dangerous, as it manifests itself in the cessation of the heart and the disappearance of its bioelectric activity. If the necessary help is not provided on time, then the patient may die.
The consequences of an overdose must be eliminated under the strict supervision of a specialist. Doctors recommend administering calcium gluconate, dopamine, isoproterenol and other drugs to the patient. They also provide symptomatic therapy, which generally eases the patient's condition until the drug is eliminated from the body. It is worth noting that hemodialysis is not used for overdose - it has not shown its effectiveness.
Is it possible to prescribe the drug to young children?
Since the drug has a rather strong effect on the state of the cardiovascular system, doctors do not recommend prescribing it to children. Instructions for use "Verapamil" (240 mg - solution, 40 mg - tablets) confirms this fact. It indicates that taking the drug is strictly contraindicated in children and adolescents. It can be prescribed only to adult patients who are already 18 years old.
Is it used during pregnancy?
It is strictly forbidden to administer the drug in ampoules to a pregnant or lactating woman - as indicated by the instructions for use of Verapamil. Reviews about the tablets describe that in some cases, the drug is still prescribed. Pregnant women can use the product with caution and only under the supervision of the attending physician if the benefits to the expectant mother exceed the possible risk to the fetus. In other cases, it is recommended to choose an analog of this drug. "Verapamil" is excreted along with breast milk, so when you start feeding, you should also completely stop taking it.
What does the instructions for use of Verapamil say about the interaction with other drugs?
This medicine seriously affects the state of the cardiovascular system, so before you start taking it, you should check with your doctor if it can be combined with other drugs. It is known that dizziness and loss of consciousness are rare, but still encountered in practice, side symptoms, so it is necessary to use the drug with caution with car drivers, as well as those people whose work requires an increased concentration of attention.
Instructions for use "Verapamil", the analogues of which will be discussed below, notes that the drug can reduce its effectiveness or cause the appearance of unpleasant symptoms while taking with the following medications:
- acetylsalicylic acid - increases the risk of bleeding;
- diuretics and antihypertensive drugs - possibly lowering the pressure;
- antiarrhythmic drugs and beta-blockers;
- cimetidine and ranitidine;
- muscle relaxants;
- theophylline, prazosin, cyclosporine;
- carbamazepine, lithium and some others.
When treating with a solution, it is also worth knowing that preparations containing calcium in their composition can reduce the effectiveness of Verapamil.
Does this drug have analogues?
Yes, there are many calcium channel blockers on the drug market that have the same principle of action as indicated in the instructions for use of Verapamil. Analogs in medicine are primarily drugs that contain the same active substance in their composition. However, it is strictly forbidden to take or replace Verapamil without the permission of the attending physician.
In pharmacies, patients can purchase the following analogues of the described substance:
- Finoptin;
- Isoptin;
- Verapamil-LekT;
- "Veracard";
- Caveril
- Lecoptin.
Positive patient reviews about taking these pills
You can learn a lot of useful information by reading the instructions for use of Verapamil. Reviews in this case will help to understand whether this drug is suitable for you specifically, as well as to learn about the frequency of side effects and other nuances of taking. Therefore, you should definitely familiarize yourself with them before buying a product. As a rule, both doctors and patients respond positively about it. They distinguish the following advantages:
- The effectiveness of the drug - it quickly lowers blood pressure and heart rate.
- Safety - a medicine is one of the most common means that help to instantly stop heart problems, therefore, for example, it is always in the first-aid kit of the ambulance team.
- The possibility of long-term use - many patients drink the drug on an ongoing basis, since it is easily excreted from the body and does not have a large negative effect on it.
- Cheapness - even poor patients can afford the packaging of the drug.
Negative patient reviews
Not all information can be found in the instructions for use of Verapamil. Reviews about this drug also describe many negative aspects, which patients, unfortunately, only found out after the start of treatment. According to patients, this tool has the following disadvantages:
- Some patients report a general deterioration in well-being after taking the pills - they develop weakness, fatigue, and swelling of the limbs.
- With the constant use of this remedy, a person can begin to gain weight, so you should carefully monitor it.
- Over time, some patients have to increase the dosage, since the drug does not treat problems of the cardiovascular system, but only relieves the symptoms.
Thus, we can say that Verapamil is an inexpensive and quite effective remedy that is quite capable of having a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system. However, a large number of side effects and contraindications sometimes force patients to choose other medicines for themselves.