4.1. Therapeutic indications

Vera-Til SR is indicated for:

The treatment of mild to moderate hypertension.

The treatment and prophylaxis of angina pectoris.

Secondary prevention of re-infarction after an acute myocardial infarction in patients without heart failure, and not receiving diuretics (apart from low-dose diuretics when used for indications other than heart failure), and where beta-blockers are not appropriate. Treatment is to be started at least one week after an acute myocardial infarction.

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults

Hypertension: The usual dose is one tablet of Vera-Til SR 240 mg daily. For patients new to verapamil therapy the doctor should consider halving the initial dose to one Vera-Til SR 120 mg tablet daily. Most patients respond to 240 mg daily given as a single dose. If control is not achieved after a period of at least one week the dosage may be increased to a maximum of two Vera-Til SR 240 mg tablets daily (one in the morning and one in the evening at an interval of about 12 hours). Other anti-hypertensive agents, in particular diuretics, may be used in combination with Vera-Til SR 240 mg tablets to achieve further reduction in blood pressure. Vera-Til SR 120 mg tablets may be used for dose titration purposes.

Angina pectoris: The usual dose is one tablet of Vera-Til SR 240 mg twice daily. A small number of patients respond to a lower dose and where indicated, adjustment down to one Vera-Til SR 240 mg tablet daily could be made. Vera-Til SR 120 mg tablets may be used for dose titration purposes.

Secondary prevention of re-infarction after an acute myocardial infarction in patients without heart failure, and not receiving diuretics (apart from low-dose diuretics when used for indications other than heart failure), and where beta-blockers are not appropriate. Treatment is to be started at least one week after an acute myocardial infarction. 360 mg/day in divided doses, to be taken either as 120 mg three times daily, or as 240 mg to be taken in the morning and 120 mg to be taken in the evening, on a daily basis.

Elderly patients

The adult dose is recommended, except in patients with impaired liver or renal function or cardiac conduction problems, where a reduced dosage may be necessary (see section 4.4).

Verapamil therapy should be discontinued gradually after long-term treatment.

Paediatric population

The safety and efficacy of Vera-Til SR tablets in children and adolescents have not been established. No data are available.

Vera-Til SR tablets are not recommended for children and adolescents.

Liver impairment

In patients with impaired liver function, metabolism of the drug is delayed to a greater or lesser extent depending on the severity of hepatic dysfunction, thus potentiating and prolonging the effects of verapamil hydrochloride. Therefore, the dosage needs to be adjusted with special caution in patients with impaired liver function and low doses should be given initially (see Special Warnings and Precautions for Use section).

Method of administration

For oral use only.

Vera-Til SR Tablets should not be chewed.

Vera-Til SR Tablets are to be swallowed whole with sufficient liquid, preferably with or shortly after meals.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Cardiogenic shock; acute myocardial infarction complicated by bradycardia, marked hypotension or left ventricular failure; second or third degree atrioventricular (AV) block (except in patients with a functioning artificial pacemaker); sino-atrial block; sick sinus syndrome (except in patients with a functioning artificial pacemaker); uncompensated heart failure; bradycardia of less than 50 beats/minute; hypotension of less than 90 mmHg systolic.

Patients with atrial fibrillation/flutter in the presence of an accessory pathway (e.g. Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome) may develop increased conduction across the anomalous pathway and ventricular tachycardia may be precipitated.

Combination with ivabradine (see section 4.5).

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Since verapamil is extensively metabolised in the liver, careful dose titration is required in patients with liver disease. Although the pharmacokinetics of verapamil in patients with renal impairment are not affected, caution should be exercised and careful patient monitoring is recommended. Verapamil is not removed during dialysis.

Heart Block/ 1st Degree AV block/Bradycardia/Asystole

Verapamil hydrochloride affects the AV and SA nodes and prolongs AV conduction time. Use with caution as development of second-or third-degree AV block (contraindication) or unifascicular, bifascicular or trifascicular bundle branch block requires discontinuation in subsequent doses of verapamil hydrochloride and institution of appropriate therapy, if needed.

Verapamil hydrochloride affects the AV and SA nodes and rarely may produce second- or third-degree AV block, bradycardia, and, in extreme cases, asystole. This is more likely to occur in patients with a sick sinus syndrome (SA nodal disease), which is more common in older patients.

Asystole in patients other than those with sick sinus syndrome is usually of short duration (few seconds or less), with spontaneous return to AV nodal or normal sinus rhythm. If this does not occur promptly, appropriate treatment should be initiated immediately. See Undesirable Effects Section.

Hypotension

Intravenous verapamil hydrochloride often produces a decrease in blood pressure below baseline levels that is usually transient and asymptomatic but may result in dizziness.

Caution should be exercised in treatment with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin) for patients taking verapamil. These patients should be started at the lowest possible dose of verapamil and titrated upwards. If verapamil treatment is to be added to patients already taking an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (e.g., simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin), refer to advice in the respective statin product information.

Use with caution in the presence of diseases in which neuromuscular transmission is affected (myasthenia gravis, Lambert- Eaton syndrome, advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy).

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

In rare instances, including when patients with severe cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure or recent myocardial infarction were given intravenous beta-adrenergic blocking agents or disopyramide concomitantly with intravenous verapamil hydrochloride, serious adverse effects have occurred. Concomitant use of verapamil hydrochloride injection with agents that decrease adrenergic function may result in an exaggerated hypotensive response.

In vitro metabolic studies indicate that verapamil hydrochloride is metabolised by cytochrome P450 CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C18. Verapamil has been shown to be an inhibitor of CYP3A4 enzymes and P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Clinically significant interactions have been reported with inhibitors of CYP3A4 causing elevation of plasma levels of verapamil hydrochloride while inducers of CYP3A4 have caused a lowering of plasma levels of verapamil hydrochloride, therefore, patients should be monitored for drug interactions.

The following are potential drug interactions associated with verapamil:

Acetylsalicylic acid

Concomitant use of verapamil with aspirin may increase the risk of bleeding.

Alcohol

Increase in blood alcohol has been reported.

Alpha blockers

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of prazosin and terazosin which may have an additive hypotensive effect.

Antiarrhythmics

Verapamil may slightly decrease the plasma clearance of flecainide whereas flecainide has no effect on the verapamil plasma clearance.

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of quinidine. Pulmonary oedema may occur in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The combination of verapamil and antiarrhythmic agents may lead to additive cardiovascular effects (e.g. AV block, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure).

Anticonvulsants

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of carbamazepine. This may produce side effects such as diplopia, headache, ataxia or dizziness. Phenytoin may decrease the plasma concentrations of verapamil.

Antidepressants

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of imipramine.

Antidiabetics

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of glibenclamide (glyburide). Co-administration of verapamil with metformin may reduce the efficacy of metformin.

Antihypertensives, diuretics, vasodilators

Potentiation of the hypotensive effect.

Anti-infectives

Rifampicin may reduce the plasma concentrations of verapamil which may produce a reduced blood pressure lowering effect. When verapamil and rifampicin are administrated together there is no change in PK. Erythromycin, clarithromycin and telithromycin may increase the plasma concentrations of verapamil.

Antineoplastics

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of doxorubicin.

Barbiturates

Phenobarbital may reduce the plasma concentrations of verapamil.

Benzodiazepines and other anxiolytics

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of buspirone and midazolam.

Beta blockers

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of metoprolol and propranolol which may lead to additive cardiovascular effects (e.g. AV block, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure).

Intravenous beta-blockers should not be given to patients under treatment with verapamil.

Cardiac glycosides

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of digitoxin and digoxin. Verapamil has been shown to increase the serum concentration of digoxin and caution should be exercised with regard to digitalis toxicity. The digitalis level should be determined and the glycoside dose reduced, if required.

Colchicine

Colchicine is a substrate for both CYP3A and the efflux transporter, P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Verapamil is known to inhibit CYP3A and P-gp. When verapamil and colchicine are administered together, inhibition of P-gp and/or CYP3A by verapamil may lead to increased exposure to colchicine. Combined use is not recommended.

H2 Receptor antagonists

Cimetidine may increase the plasma concentrations of verapamil.

HIV antiviral agents

Due to the metabolic inhibitory potential of some of the HIV antiviral agents, such as ritonavir, plasma concentrations of verapamil may increase. Caution should be used or dose of verapamil may be decreased.

Immunosuppressants

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus and tacrolimus. Concentration determinations and dose adjustments of everolimus and sirolimus may be necessary.

Inhaled anaesthetics

When used concomitantly, inhalation anaesthetics and calcium antagonists, such as verapamil hydrochloride, should each be titrated carefully to avoid additive cardiovascular effects (e.g. AV block, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure).

Lipid lowering agents

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations atorvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin.

Treatment with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin) in a patient taking verapamil should be started at the lowest possible dose and titrated upwards. If verapamil treatment is to be added to patients already taking an HMG CoA reductase inhibitor (e.g., simvastatin, atorvastatin or lovastatin), consider a reduction in the statin dose and retitrate against serum cholesterol concentrations.

Atorvastatin has been shown to increase verapamil levels. Although there is no direct in vivo clinical evidence, there is strong potential for verapamil to significantly affect atorvastatin pharmacokinetics in a similar manner to simvastatin or lovastatin. Consider using caution when atorvastatin and verapamil are concomitantly administered.

Fluvastatin, pravastatin and rosuvastatin are not metabolised by CYP3A4 and are less likely to interact with verapamil.

Lithium

Serum levels of lithium may be reduced. However, there may be increased sensitivity to lithium causing enhanced neurotoxicity. Patients receiving both drugs should be monitored carefully.

Neuromuscular blocking agents employed in anaesthesia

The effects may be potentiated.

Serotonin receptor agonists

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of almotriptan.

Theophylline

Verapamil may increase the plasma concentrations of theophylline.

Uricosurics

Sulfinpyrazone may reduce the plasma concentrations of verapamil which may produce a reduced blood pressure lowering effect. When verapamil and sulfinpyrazone are administrated together there is no change in PK.

Anticoagulants

When oral verapamil was co-administered with dabigatran etexilate (150 mg), a P- gp substrate, the Cmax and AUC of dabigatran were increased but magnitude of this change differs depending on time between administration and the formulation of verapamil. Co- administration of verapamil 240 mg extended-release at the same time as dabigatran etexilate resulted in increased dabigatran exposure (increase of Cmax by about 90 % and AUC by about 70 %).

Close clinical surveillance is recommended when verapamil is combined with dabigatran etexilate and particularly in the occurrence of bleeding, notably in patients having a mild to moderate renal impairment.

Other Cardiac therapy

Concomitant use with ivabradine is contraindicated due to the additional heart rate lowering effect of verapamil to Ivabradine (see section 4.3).

Other

St. John's Wort may reduce the plasma concentrations of verapamil, whereas grapefruit juice may increase the plasma concentrations of verapamil.

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects

There are no adequate and well-controlled study data in pregnant women.

Animal studies do not indicate teratogenic effects, however, embryotoxicity was observed at maternally toxic doses in rats. Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response, this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed (see Preclinical Safety Data Section).

Verapamil crosses the placental barrier and can be detected in umbilical vein blood at delivery.

Breast-feeding

Verapamil is excreted in human breast milk. Limited human data from oral administration has shown that the infant relative dose of verapamil is low (0.1 – 1% of the mother's oral dose) and that verapamil use may be compatible with breastfeeding.

A risk to the newborns/infants cannot be excluded. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions and rarely hypersensitivity reactions in nursing infants, verapamil should only be used during lactation if it is essential for the welfare of the mother.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Depending on individual susceptibility, the patient's ability to drive a vehicle, operate machinery or work under hazardous conditions may be impaired. This is particularly true in the initial stages of treatment, when changing over from another medication or when the dose is raised. Like many other common medicines, verapamil has been shown to increase the blood levels of alcohol and slow its elimination. Therefore, the effects of alcohol may be exaggerated.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Reactions from Post-marketing Surveillance or Phase IV Clinical Trials

The following adverse events reported with verapamil are listed below by system organ class:

Immune system disorders: allergic reactions (e.g. erythema, pruritus, urticaria) are very rarely seen.

Nervous system disorders: headache, dizziness, paraesthesia, tremor and extrapyramidal syndrome.

Ear and labyrinth disorders: vertigo and tinnitus.

Cardiac disorders/vascular disorders: bradycardic arrhythmias such as sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest with asystole, 2nd and 3rd degree AV block, bradyarrhythmia in atrial fibrillation, peripheral oedema, palpitations, tachycardia, development or aggravation of heart failure and hypotension. There have been rare reports of flushing.

Gastrointestinal disorders: nausea, vomiting, constipation, ileus and abdominal pain/discomfort. Gingival hyperplasia may occur very rarely when the drug is administered over prolonged periods and is fully reversible when the drug is discontinued.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: ankle oedema, Quincke's oedema, Steven-Johnson syndrome, erythema multiforme, erythromelalgia, alopecia and purpura.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: muscular weakness, myalgia and arthralgia.

Reproductive system and breast disorders: impotence (erectile dysfunction) has been rarely reported and isolated cases of galactorrhoea. On very rare occasions, gynaecomastia has been observed in elderly male patients under long-term verapamil treatment and is fully reversible in all cases when the drug was discontinued.

General disorders and administration site conditions: fatigue.

Investigations: A reversible impairment of liver function characterised by an increase of transaminase and/or alkaline phosphatase may occur on very rare occasions during verapamil treatment and is most probably a hypersensitivity reaction. Rises in blood prolactin levels have been reported.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the yellow card scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

4.9. Overdose

Symptoms

The course of symptoms in verapamil intoxication depends on the amount taken, the point in time at which detoxification measures are taken and myocardial contractility (age related). The main symptoms are: blood pressure fall (at times to values not detectable), shock symptoms, loss of consciousness, 1st and 2nd degree AV block (frequently as Wenkebach's phenomenon with or without escape rhythms), total AV block with total AV dissociation, escape rhythm, asystole, bradycardia up to high degree AV block and sinus arrest, hyperglycaemia, stupor, metabolic acidosis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Fatalities have occurred as a result of overdose.

Management

The therapeutic measures to be taken depend on the point in time at which verapamil was taken and the type and severity of intoxication symptoms. In intoxication with large amounts of slow-release preparations (Vera-Til SR tablets), it should be noted that the release of the active drug and the absorption in the intestine may take more than 48 hours. Verapamil hydrochloride cannot be removed by haemodialysis. Depending on the time of ingestion, it should be taken into account that there may be some lumps of incompletely dissolved tablets along the entire length of the gastro-intestinal tract, which function as active drug depots.

General measures to be taken: Gastric lavage with the usual precautions, even later than 12 hours after ingestion, if no gastrointestinal motility (peristaltic sounds) is detectable. Where intoxication by Vera-Til SR tablets is suspected, extensive elimination measures are indicated, such as induced vomiting, removal of the contents of the stomach and the small intestine under endoscopy, intestinal lavage, laxative, high enemas. The usual intensive resuscitation measures apply, such as extrathoracic heart massage, respiration, defibrillation and/or pacemaker therapy.

Specific measures to be taken: elimination of cardiodepressive effects, hypotension or bradycardia. The specific antidote is calcium, e.g. 10-20ml of a 10% calcium gluconate solution administered intravenously (2.25-4.5mmol), repeated if necessary or given as a continuous drip infusion (e.g. 5mmol/hour).

The following measures may also be necessary: In case of 2nd or 3rd degree AV block, sinus bradycardia, asystole – atropine, isoprenaline, orciprenaline or pacemaker therapy. In case of hypotension – dopamine, dobutamine, noradrenaline. If there are signs of continuing myocardial failure - dopamine, dobutamine, if necessary repeated calcium injections.