title: Prolonged half-life of verapamil in a case of overdose: implications for therapy.
abstract: After an overdose of verapamil (2.4 g) in a 59-year-old man the apparent half-life of verapamil was prolonged (15 h). The most likely mechanism is rate-limiting absorption, although changes in clearance and volume of distribution may contribute. As the elimination half-life of verapamil is increased in overdose, therapy may have to be continued for longer than expected. Moreover since the half-life of absorption of verapamil in overdose may be prolonged, activated charcoal should be given in repeated doses, even if an ordinary-release formulation has been taken.
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: C D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Buckley
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Aronson
mesh_terms: D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000378:metabolism; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014700:Verapamil / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014700:Verapamil