Verapamil hydrochloride
Staveran is available in the form of coated tablets containing 40 mg, 80 mg or 120 mg of the active substance - verapamil hydrochloride. Verapamil hydrochloride is a selective calcium antagonist acting directly on the heart muscle.
The action of the medicine is based on inhibiting the passage of calcium ions through the cell membrane to the heart muscle cells and to the cells of the blood vessels.
The medicine has antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic effects.
The antihypertensive effect of the medicine is the result of reducing peripheral resistance without simultaneously increasing heart rate. In the case of normal blood pressure, the medicine does not have a significant hypotensive effect.
The antiarrhythmic effect, especially in the case of supraventricular rhythm disturbances, is based on slowing down the conduction in the atrioventricular node. As a result, depending on the type of rhythm disturbance, there is a restoration of sinus rhythm and/or normalization of ventricular contractions. The medicine does not change the normal heart rate or only slightly reduces it.
Before starting treatment with Staveran, consult a doctor.
Particular caution should be exercised in patients:
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, have recently taken or might take.
Interactions with verapamil are possible:
Additional information is provided below for some interactions.
Antiviral drugs against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Ritonavir may increase verapamil plasma concentrations, enhancing its effect. Caution should be exercised when these drugs are used concomitantly, and if necessary, the verapamil dose should be reduced.
Lithium
There have been reports of increased lithium sensitivity (neurotoxicity) during concomitant treatment with verapamil and lithium without changes or with increased lithium serum concentrations. However, the addition of verapamil also resulted in decreased lithium serum concentrations in patients chronically receiving oral fixed doses of lithium. Close monitoring of patients receiving both drugs is necessary.
Drugs blocking neuromuscular transmission
The drug may enhance the effect of drugs blocking neuromuscular transmission (curare-like and depolarizing drugs). It may be necessary to reduce the dose of Staveran and/or the dose of the drug blocking neuromuscular transmission when these drugs are used concomitantly.
Acetylsalicylic acid
Increased tendency to bleeding.
Ethyl alcohol
Increased ethanol plasma concentration.
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins)
In patients taking Staveran, treatment with hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (e.g. simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin) should be started with the lowest possible dose, which is then adjusted by gradual increase.
If the use of the drug is started in patients already taking a hydroxymethylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (e.g. simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin), consideration should be given to reducing the statin dose and then readjusting it based on serum cholesterol levels.
The likelihood of an interaction with fluvastatin, pravastatin or rosuvastatin with the drug is lower.
Hypotensive, diuretic and vasodilating drugs
Enhanced hypotensive effect.
Metformin
Verapamil may weaken the glucose-lowering effect of metformin.
Interactions with grapefruit juice and products containing St. John's wort extract are also possible.
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, thinks she may be pregnant or plans to have a child, she should consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine.
There are no data on the use of the medicine in pregnant women, and therefore the medicine can be used during pregnancy only if it is absolutely necessary.
The medicine is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. The risk to newborns and infants cannot be excluded. However, due to the possibility of serious side effects in breastfed infants, the medicine can be used during breastfeeding only if it is essential for the mother's health.
In some patients, Staveran may affect their ability to react to such an extent that it impairs their ability to drive vehicles and operate machinery or work in hazardous conditions. This occurs especially during the initial treatment period, during dose increase, when switching from another medicine, and when consuming alcohol concomitantly. The medicine may increase blood alcohol levels and delay its elimination.
For this reason, the effect of alcohol may be enhanced.
If the patient has previously been diagnosed with intolerance to some sugars, the patient should contact a doctor before taking the medicine.
The medicine may cause allergic reactions.
This medicine should always be taken as directed by the doctor. In case of doubts, consult a doctor.
The dose of the medicine should be adjusted individually depending on the severity of the disease. Long-term clinical experience confirms that in all indications, the daily dose is usually between 240 mg and 360 mg. During long-term use, the daily dose should not exceed 480 mg, while during short-term use, a higher dose may be used. The duration of treatment is unlimited. After long-term use, the medicine should not be stopped abruptly. Gradual dose reduction is recommended.
Staveran 40 should be used in patients who are expected to respond satisfactorily to small doses (e.g. patients with liver failure or elderly patients). In patients requiring higher doses (e.g. 240 mg to 480 mg of verapamil hydrochloride per day), Staveran 80 or Staveran 120 should be used.
Adults and adolescents over 50 kg of body weight
120 mg to 480 mg per day in three divided doses.
120 mg to 480 mg per day in three or four divided doses.
Special populations
Children and adolescents (only in arrhythmias)
Up to 6 years of age: 80 mg to 120 mg of verapamil hydrochloride per day in two or three divided doses.
From 6 to 14 years of age: 80 mg to 360 mg of verapamil hydrochloride per day in two, three or four divided doses.
Renal impairment
When using the medicine in patients with renal impairment, caution should be exercised and the patient's condition should be closely monitored.
Hepatic impairment
In patients with liver failure, the metabolism of the medicine is impaired to a varying degree depending on the degree of liver failure, which makes the medicine act stronger and longer. Therefore, particular caution should be exercised when determining the dose in patients with liver failure, and during the initial treatment period, small doses should be administered (see Warnings and precautions).
Method of administration
Oral administration. The tablet should be swallowed whole (not sucked or chewed), with a sufficient amount of liquid, preferably during or immediately after a meal.
In case of taking a higher dose of the medicine than recommended, consult a doctor or report to the emergency department of the nearest hospital immediately.
Symptoms of overdose are:
Hypotension, bradycardia, slowing of conduction up to high-degree atrioventricular block and sinus arrest,
Hyperglycemia, stupor, metabolic acidosis. Overdose has led to death.
Treatment
In case of overdose, supportive treatment should be applied, individually tailored. In the treatment of intentional overdose of the medicine taken orally, beta-adrenergic stimulation and/or parenteral calcium (calcium chloride) have been effectively used. In case of clinically significant hypotension or high-degree atrioventricular block, vasopressor drugs or cardiac pacing should be used, respectively.
In case of asystole, standard procedures should be used, including beta-adrenergic stimulation (e.g. isoprenaline hydrochloride), other vasopressor drugs or cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Verapamil hydrochloride cannot be removed from the body by hemodialysis.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
After long-term use, do not stop the medicine abruptly. Gradual dose reduction is recommended.
In case of any further doubts regarding the use of this medicine, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The most common side effects were: headache, dizziness, gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, constipation and abdominal pain, as well as bradycardia, tachycardia, palpitations, hypotension, flushing, peripheral edema and fatigue.
Side effects are presented according to the frequency classification:
Frequent(occurring in less than 1 in 10 patients):
Uncommon(occurring in less than 1 in 100 patients):
Rare(occurring in less than 1 in 1,000 patients):
Side effects with unknownfrequency (frequency cannot be determined based on available data):
After the medicine was placed on the market, one case of paresis (quadriparesis) was reported after concomitant use of verapamil and colchicine.
If side effects occur, including those not listed in this leaflet, the doctor, pharmacist or nurse should be informed. Side effects can be reported directly to the Department of Drug Safety Monitoring of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products
Aleje Jerozolimskie 181C
02-222 Warsaw
Phone: +48 22 49 21 301
Fax: +48 22 49 21 309
Website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl
Side effects can also be reported to the marketing authorization holder.
By reporting side effects, more information can be collected on the safety of the medicine.
The medicine should be stored out of sight and reach of children.
Store in the original packaging to protect from light. Do not store above 25°C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
The inscription on the packaging after the abbreviation EXP means the expiry date, and after the abbreviation Lot/LOT means the batch number.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines that are no longer needed. This will help protect the environment.
Staveran 40 mg, are orange, round, biconvex coated tablets.
Staveran 80 mg, are orange, round, biconvex coated tablets with a score line on one side.
Staveran 120 mg, are yellow, round, biconvex coated tablets with a score line on one side.
One packaging contains 20 or 60 tablets.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Polpharma S.A.
Pelplińska 19, 83-200 Starogard Gdański
phone: +48 22 364 61 01
Polpharma S.A.
Medana branch in Sieradz
Władysława Łokietka 10, 98-200 Sieradz
Polpharma S.A.
Production Plant in Nowa Dęba
Metalowca 2
39-460 Nowa Dęba
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