“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Verapamil is a calcium ion influx inhibitor that inhibits the inward movement of calcium into cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells and His-Purkingi system. The tablets are designed for sustained release of the drug in the intestine.
Pharmacology
Verapamil is an L-type calcium channel blocker with antiarrhythmic, antianginal, and antihypertensive activity. Immediate-release verapamil has a relatively short duration of action, requiring dosing 3 to 4 times daily, but extended-release formulations are available that allow for once-daily dosing. As verapamil is a negative inotropic medication (i.e. it decreases the strength of myocardial contraction), it should not be used in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as the decrease in contractility caused by verapamil may increase the risk of exacerbating these pre-existing conditions.