VERAPAMIL HYDROCHLORIDE

Verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules, USP are a calcium ion influx inhibitor (slow channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist). Verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules are available for oral administration as a 120 mg hard gelatin capsule (bluish green opaque cap and white opaque body), a 180 mg hard gelatin capsule (bluish green opaque cap and light green opaque body) and a 240 mg hard gelatin capsule (bluish green opaque cap and bluish green opaque body). These bead filled capsules provide an extended-release of the drug in the gastrointestinal tract. The structural formula of verapamil HCl is given below: C 27 H 38 N 2 O 4 • HCl M.W. 491.07 Chemical name: (±)-5-[(3,4-Dimethoxyphenethyl)methylamino]-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-isopropylvaleronitrile monohydrochloride. Verapamil HCl, USP is a white or almost white, crystalline powder, practically free of odor, with a bitter taste. It is soluble in water, chloroform and methanol. Verapamil HCl is not structurally related to other cardioactive drugs. In addition to verapamil HCl the verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules contain the following inactive ingredients: ammonium hydroxide, dibutyl sebacate, diethyl phthalate, ethylcellulose, FD&C Green No. 3, gelatin, hypromellose, maltodextrin, methacrylic acid copolymer Type A and B, oleic acid, polyethylene glycol, povidone, silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, sugar spheres (which contain cornstarch and sucrose), talc and titanium dioxide, the 180 mg capsules also contain D&C Yellow No. 10. In addition, the black imprinting ink contains black iron oxide, D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 2 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, propylene glycol and shellac glaze. Verapamil Hydrochloride Structural Formula

Verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including this drug. Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake. Many patients will require more than one drug to achieve blood pressure goals. For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program’s Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC). Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressure reduction, and not some other pharmacologic property of the drugs, that is largely responsible for those benefits. The largest and most consistent cardiovascular outcome benefit has been a reduction in the risk of stroke, but reductions in myocardial infarction and cardiovascular mortality also have been seen regularly. Elevated systolic or diastolic pressure causes increased cardiovascular risk, and the absolute risk increase per mmHg is greater at higher blood pressures, so that even modest reductions of severe hypertension can provide substantial benefit. Relative risk reduction from blood pressure reduction is similar across populations with varying absolute risk, so the absolute benefit is greater in patients who are at higher risk independent of their hypertension (for example, patients with diabetes or hyperlipidemia), and such patients would be expected to benefit from more aggressive treatment to a lower blood pressure goal. Some antihypertensive drugs have smaller blood pressure effects (as monotherapy) in black patients, and many antihypertensive drugs have additional approved indications and effects (e.g., on angina, heart failure, or diabetic kidney disease). These considerations may guide selection of therapy.

Essential Hypertension The dose of verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules should be individualized by titration. The usual daily dose of extended-release, verapamil hydrochloride capsules, in clinical trials has been 240 mg given by mouth once daily in the morning. However, initial doses of 120 mg a day may be warranted in patients who may have an increased response to verapamil (e.g., elderly, small people, etc.). Upward titration should be based on therapeutic efficacy and safety evaluated approximately 24 hours after dosing. The antihypertensive effects of verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules are evident within the first week of therapy. If adequate response is not obtained with 120 mg of verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules, the dose may be titrated upward in the following manner: (a) 180 mg in the morning. (b) 240 mg in the morning. (c) 360 mg in the morning. (d) 480 mg in the morning. Verapamil extended-release capsules are for once-a-day administration. When switching from immediate-release verapamil to verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules, the same total daily dose of verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules can be used. As with immediate-release verapamil, dosages of verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules should be individualized and titration may be needed in some patients. Sprinkling the Capsule Contents on Food Verapamil hydrochloride extended-release bead filled capsules may also be administered by carefully opening the capsule and sprinkling the beads on a spoonful of applesauce. The applesauce should be swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass of cool water to ensure complete swallowing of the beads. The applesauce used should not be hot, and it should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Any bead/applesauce mixture should be used immediately and not stored for future use. Subdividing the contents of a verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsule is not recommended.

Verapamil HCl is contraindicated in: 1. Severe left ventricular dysfunction. (See WARNINGS .) 2. Hypotension (less than 90 mmHg systolic pressure) or cardiogenic shock. 3. Sick sinus syndrome (except in patients with a functioning artificial ventricular pacemaker). 4. Second- or third-degree AV block (except in patients with a functioning artificial ventricular pacemaker). 5. Patients with atrial flutter or atrial fibrillation and an accessory bypass tract (e.g., Wolff-Parkinson-White, Lown-Ganong-Levine syndromes). (See WARNINGS .) 6. Patients with known hypersensitivity to verapamil hydrochloride.

Serious adverse reactions are uncommon when verapamil HCl therapy is initiated with upward dose titration within the recommended single and total daily dose. See WARNINGS for discussion of heart failure, hypotension, elevated liver enzymes, AV block, and rapid ventricular response. Reversible (upon discontinuation of verapamil) non-obstructive, paralytic ileus has been infrequently reported in association with the use of verapamil. In clinical trials involving 285 hypertensive patients on verapamil hydrochloride extended-release capsules for greater than 1 week the following adverse reactions were reported in greater than 1.0% of the patients: Constipation 7.4% Headache 5.3% Dizziness 4.2% Lethargy 3.2% Dyspepsia 2.5% Rash 1.4% Ankle Edema 1.4% Sleep Disturbance 1.4% Myalgia 1.1% In clinical trials of other formulations of verapamil HCl (N = 4,954) the following reactions have occurred at rates greater than 1.0%: Constipation 7.3% CHF/Pulmonary Edema 1.8% Dizziness 3.3% Fatigue 1.7% Nausea 2.7% Bradycardia (HR < 50/min) 1.4% Hypotension 2.5% AV block-total 1º, 2º, 3º 1.2% 2º and 3º 0.8% Edema 1.9% Headache 2.2% Flushing 0.6% Rash 1.2% Elevated Liver Enzymes (see WARNINGS ) In clinical trials related to the control of ventricular response in digitalized patients who had atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, ventricular rate below 50/min at rest occurred in 15% of patients and asymptomatic hypotension occurred in 5% of patients. The following reactions, reported in 1.0% or less of patients, occurred under conditions (open trials, marketing experience) where a causal relationship is uncertain; they are listed to alert the physician to a possible relationship: Cardiovascular: angina pectoris, atrioventricular dissociation, chest pain, claudication, myocardial infarction, palpitations, purpura (vasculitis), syncope. Digestive System: diarrhea, dry mouth, gastrointestinal distress, gingival hyperplasia. Hemic and Lymphatic: ecchymosis or bruising. Nervous System: cerebrovascular accident, confusion, equilibrium disorders, extrapyramidal symptoms insomnia, muscle cramps, paresthesia, psychotic symptoms, shakiness, somnolence. Respiratory: dyspnea. Skin: arthralgia and rash, exanthema, hair loss, hyperkeratosis, maculae, sweating, urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme. Special Senses: blurred vision, tinnitus. Urogenital: gynecomastia, impotence, increased urination, spotty menstruation. Treatment of Acute Cardiovascular Adverse Reactions The frequency of cardiovascular adverse reactions which require therapy is rare; hence, experience with their treatment is limited. Whenever severe hypotension or complete AV block occurs following oral administration of verapamil, the appropriate emergency measures should be applied immediately, e.g., intravenously administered isoproterenol HCl, levarterenol bitartrate, atropine (all in the usual doses), or calcium gluconate (10% solution). In patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (IHSS), alpha-adrenergic agents (phenylephrine, metaraminol bitartrate or methoxamine) should be used to maintain blood pressure, and isoproterenol and levarterenol should be avoided. If further support is necessary, inotropic agents (dopamine or dobutamine) may be administered. Actual treatment and dosage should depend on the severity and the clinical situation and the judgment and experience of the treating physician.