Low dose calcium prevents verapamil-induced hypotension

DRUG REACTIONS

A retrospective study of patients aged> 12 years with supraventricular arrhythmias found that pretreatment with low-dose calcium effectively reduced verapamil-induced hypotension without altering the antiarrhythmic efficacy of verapamil.

Patients who received IV verapamil with (n = 18) or without (117) pretreatment with calcium chloride I mg were included in the study. No adverse effects attributable to calcium were observed.

The dose of calcium used was about 10 times lower than the recommended dose. ' ... This lower dosage may avoid the adverse effects that can result from administering the larger doses of calcium previously recommended.'

Kuhn M. Schriger DL. Low-dose calcium pretreatment to prevent verapamil-induced hypotension. American Hean Journal 124: 231-232. Jul 1992 """,,,,.,

ISSN 0156-2703l9210822-00211$1.rxf' Ad .. Intem8tIonaI Ltd

21

INPHARMA" 22 Aug 1992