Veracal SR240 mg

Veracal SR is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used for the following indications, classified by strength of evidence:

Established/FDA-approved uses

• Hypertension: management of essential hypertension, either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
• Angina: chronic stable (effort-associated) angina, and vasospastic (Prinzmetal's variant) angina; also used for unstable angina at rest.
• Supraventricular arrhythmias: control of ventricular rate in chronic atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter; prophylaxis of repetitive paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT); rapid conversion of PSVT to normal sinus rhythm (intravenous formulation).

Adjunct/combination-therapy use

Veracal SR is frequently combined with a thiazide diuretic, an ACE inhibitor, or a long-acting nitrate when a single agent does not adequately control blood pressure or angina symptoms.

Off-label uses (not FDA-approved; based on limited evidence/clinical experience)

• Prophylaxis of migraine and cluster headache.
• Symptomatic treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The decision to use Veracal SR for any indication, especially off-label ones, should be individualized by a physician.

Each formulation contains Verapamil Hydrochloride INN as the active pharmaceutical ingredient.

• Immediate-release tablets: commonly available as 40 mg, 80 mg, and 120 mg strengths.
• Sustained/extended-release tablets or capsules: commonly available as 120 mg, 180 mg, and 240 mg strengths.
• Injection: commonly available as 5 mg/2 mL solution for intravenous use.

Exact strengths and available dosage forms may vary by manufacturer and market; refer to the specific product label for confirmed composition.

Veracal SR is a synthetic calcium channel blocker belonging to the phenylalkylamine chemical class. Unlike the dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, nifedipine), which act predominantly on vascular smooth muscle, Veracal SR has significant effects on both cardiac tissue and vascular smooth muscle. This gives it useful antihypertensive, antianginal, and antiarrhythmic properties, making it distinct among calcium channel blockers in its ability to control heart rate and rhythm in addition to lowering blood pressure and relieving angina.

Veracal SR is available in immediate-release, sustained-release, and injectable formulations, allowing flexible use across chronic oral therapy and acute intravenous management of arrhythmias.

Veracal SR belongs to the Calcium Channel Blocker class, specifically the non-dihydropyridine (phenylalkylamine) subgroup. It functions as an antihypertensive, antianginal, and antiarrhythmic agent.

Verapamil Hydrochloride inhibits the influx of calcium ions through voltage-sensitive L-type calcium channels in cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle, without altering serum calcium concentrations.

Pharmacodynamics

• Relaxes vascular smooth muscle, producing arterial vasodilation and reduced peripheral vascular resistance (lowers blood pressure).
• Reduces myocardial contractility (negative inotropic effect) and myocardial oxygen demand (antianginal effect).
• Slows conduction through the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes, slowing heart rate and controlling ventricular response in supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (antiarrhythmic effect).

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption: well absorbed orally, but undergoes extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism, giving an oral bioavailability of roughly 20-35%.
• Distribution: highly protein bound (approximately 90%).
• Metabolism: extensively metabolized in the liver, primarily via CYP3A4, to several metabolites including norverapamil (which has some pharmacologic activity). Verapamil Hydrochloride is also an inhibitor of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein.
• Elimination: mainly renal excretion of metabolites; elimination half-life is approximately 3-7 hours after a single dose and may lengthen to 4.5-12 hours with repeated dosing.

• Immediate-release tablets of Veracal SR may be taken with or without food, but should be taken consistently the same way each time.
• Sustained/extended-release tablets or capsules of Veracal SR must be swallowed whole and must not be crushed, chewed, or split, as this can cause rapid release of the full dose.
• Intravenous Veracal SR must be administered only by trained healthcare professionals with continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring.
• Grapefruit juice should be avoided as it can increase blood levels of Veracal SR.

Veracal SR has several clinically significant drug interactions:

• Beta-blockers: concurrent use, especially with intravenous beta-blockers, can cause additive bradycardia, AV conduction block, and depressed myocardial contractility; concurrent intravenous Veracal SR with an intravenous beta-blocker should generally be avoided (see Contraindications).
• Digoxin: Veracal SR increases serum digoxin concentrations and can precipitate digoxin toxicity; digoxin dose reduction and monitoring of levels are usually required.
• CYP3A4 substrates: Veracal SR inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, increasing plasma levels of drugs such as certain statins (e.g., simvastatin, lovastatin), cyclosporine, tacrolimus, carbamazepine, and other CYP3A4-metabolized drugs, raising the risk of toxicity from those agents.
• Other antihypertensive or negative-inotropic agents: additive hypotensive or cardiodepressant effects may occur.
• Disopyramide: combination can cause additive negative inotropic effects; disopyramide should not be given within 48 hours before or 24 hours after Veracal SR.
• Grapefruit juice: increases plasma concentration of Veracal SR, potentially increasing side effects.

This list is not exhaustive. Patients should inform their physician of all medicines, supplements, and herbal products they are taking before starting Veracal SR.

Side effects of Veracal SR vary by formulation and dose. Constipation is notably common and characteristic of Veracal SR among calcium channel blockers.

Common

• Constipation
• Peripheral edema (swelling of the ankles/feet)
• Headache
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue
• Flushing
• Nausea

Less common but clinically important

• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Hypotension (low blood pressure)
• AV block (first-, second-, or third-degree)
• Worsening of heart failure symptoms in susceptible patients
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Gingival hyperplasia (with long-term use)

Patients should seek prompt medical attention for signs of very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness/fainting, or worsening shortness of breath while taking Veracal SR.

Pregnancy: Animal reproduction studies have not shown clear evidence of fetal harm, but adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women are lacking. Veracal SR should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus. A physician should be consulted before use in pregnancy.

Lactation: Veracal SR is excreted in human breast milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects in a nursing infant, a decision should be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue Veracal SR, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother, in consultation with a physician.

Veracal SR should be used with caution in the following situations:

• Heart failure/reduced ejection fraction: because of its negative inotropic effect, Veracal SR should be used cautiously in patients with mild-to-moderate heart failure and only after optimization of the patient with other therapy (see Contraindications for severe left ventricular dysfunction).
• Hepatic impairment: significantly reduced clearance requires lower doses and careful monitoring.
• Renal impairment: dose adjustment and monitoring may be needed.
• First-degree AV block or bradycardia: Veracal SR can further slow conduction; monitor closely.
• Concomitant beta-blocker use (oral): monitor for additive bradycardia, AV block, and hypotension; caution advised even outside the intravenous combination that is contraindicated.
• Elderly patients: may be more sensitive to hypotensive and cardiac conduction effects; slower dose titration is prudent.
• Neuromuscular disorders (e.g., Duchenne's muscular dystrophy): use with caution as Veracal SR may worsen muscle weakness.
• Driving/operating machinery: dizziness or fatigue may impair the ability to perform tasks requiring alertness.

Abrupt discontinuation of Veracal SR should be avoided; dose reduction should be gradual under medical supervision, particularly in patients being treated for angina.

Overdose of Veracal SR can cause severe hypotension, bradycardia progressing to complete heart block, cardiogenic shock, and cardiac arrest. Signs and symptoms may include marked dizziness, confusion, slurred speech, extreme weakness, and loss of consciousness.

Suspected overdose of Veracal SR is a medical emergency. Seek immediate medical attention or contact emergency services/a poison control center right away. Do not attempt to manage a suspected overdose at home. Management will require hospital-based supportive care and cardiac monitoring, which should only be provided by qualified medical personnel.

Store at room temperature (below 30°C), away from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.

Pediatric use

Safety and efficacy of oral Veracal SR have not been well established in children. Intravenous Veracal SR has been used for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in children under specialist cardiology supervision, but intravenous Veracal SR should generally be avoided in neonates and young infants because of the risk of severe hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest in this age group.

Elderly

Elderly patients may have reduced clearance of Veracal SR and increased sensitivity to its hypotensive and cardiac conduction effects; a lower starting dose and gradual titration are recommended.

Hepatic impairment

Substantially reduced doses are required due to decreased first-pass metabolism and clearance (see Dosage and Administration).

Renal impairment

Dose adjustment and monitoring may be needed, though Veracal SR is primarily hepatically metabolized.

Veracal SR is generally used as a long-term, ongoing therapy for chronic conditions such as hypertension, chronic angina, and rate control of atrial fibrillation/flutter, with duration determined by the treating physician based on clinical response and tolerability. For acute intravenous use in arrhythmia termination, treatment is a single or limited repeat dose under monitored conditions. Veracal SR should not be stopped abruptly without medical advice, particularly when used for angina, as sudden discontinuation may worsen symptoms.

Calcium Channel Blocker - Non-dihydropyridine (Phenylalkylamine derivative); antihypertensive, antianginal, and antiarrhythmic agent. Verapamil Hydrochloride is the representative agent of this subclass.

Verapamil Hydrochloride blocks the slow inward movement of calcium ions through L-type calcium channels located in cardiac myocytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. By reducing intracellular calcium availability, it decreases smooth muscle contraction (causing vasodilation) and reduces the force and rate of myocardial contraction. It also depresses the rate of spontaneous depolarization of the SA node and slows conduction velocity through the AV node, which is the basis for its effectiveness in controlling supraventricular arrhythmias.

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The safety and efficacy of oral Veracal SR in pediatric patients have not been well established, and it is generally not recommended for routine pediatric hypertension management. Intravenous Veracal SR may be used by pediatric cardiology specialists for termination of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in older infants, children, and adolescents, with appropriate dose adjustment by body weight and continuous cardiac monitoring.

Intravenous Veracal SR should generally not be used in neonates and young infants because of reports of serious adverse hemodynamic effects, including severe hypotension, bradycardia, and cardiac arrest, in this age group. Use in this population should only occur under close specialist supervision when no safer alternative is appropriate.