Verapamil, a calcium antagonist, is used as an antianginal, antidysrhythmic and antihypertensive agent. Fatal intoxications with this commonly used drug have been described. We report the effects of 4-aminopyridine and haemodialysis in a patient with severe verapamil intoxication.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Agoston, S., Maestrone, E., Van Hezik, E.J., Ket, J.M., Houwertjes, M.C. & Uges, D.R.A. (1984). Effective treatment of verapamil intoxication with 4-aminopyridine in the cat. J. Clin. Invest., 73, 1291-1296.
2.
Eichelbaum, M., Ende, M., Remberg, G.Schomerus, M. & Dengler, H.J. (1979). The metabolism of D, L-(14C) verapamil in man. Drug Metab. Dispos., 7, 145-148.
3.
Martindale (1982). The Extra Pharmacopoeia, vol. 27, pp. 1383-1385. London: Pharmaceutical Society Press.
4.
Orr, G.M., Bodansky, H.J., Dymond, D.S. & Taylor, M. (1982). Fatal verapamil overdose. Lancet , ii, 1218-1219.
5.
Schmutzler, S., Uges, D.R.A., Agoston, S. & Langrehr, D. (1984). Rohypnol-Intoxication als Ursache eines postanaesthetischen Komas und Behandlungserfolg mit 4-Aminopyridin. Anaesthesist , 33, 294-259.
6.
Stojanov, E., Vulchev, P., Shtrubova, M. & Marinova, M. (1976). Clinical electromyomechanographic and electromyographic studies in decurarization with Pymadine. Anaesthesiol. Resusc. Intensive Ther., 4, 139-142.
7.
Uges, D.R.A. (1982). 4-Aminopyridine, clinical pharmaceutical, pharmacological and toxicological aspects. PhD Thesis, State University , Groningen.
8.
Van Der Meer, J. & VAN Der Wall, E. (1983). Fatal acute intoxication with verapamil. Neth. J. Med., 26, 130-132.
9.
Vizi, E.S., Van Dijk, J. & Foldes, F.F. (1977). The effect of 4-aminopyridine on acetylcholine release. J. Neural Transm., 41, 265-274.
