Securon

What is it?

A class I calcium antagonist available as film-coated, scored, white tablets containing 120mg of verapamil hydrochloride and marked with KNOLL, strength and tablet name. Also, SECURON SR, available as green, sustained-release, film-coated, oblong tablets containing 240mg of verapamil hydrochloride, marked with logo. Also, HALF SECURON SR, white, film-coated, sustained-release tablets containing 120mg of verapamil hydrochloride marked 120 SR and company name. Also, SECURON IV available as a solution in ampoules containing 2.5mg of verapamil hydrochloride per ml.

Medical Uses

Securon tablets, supraventricular tachycardia (rapid heart beat), angina, high blood pressure. Other preparations, angina, high blood pressure, prevention of second heart attack in patients who do not have heart failure and who are not on diuretics and in whom β-blockers cannot be used.

Dosage

Adults, tachycardias, Securon Tablets, 40 to 120mg 3 times each day. Angina, Securon SR, Half Securon SR or Securon Tablets, 80 to 120mg 3 times each day. Hypertension, Securon SR or Half Securon SR, start with 120mg once each day then 240mg once each day with a maximum of 480mg in divided doses daily. Securon Tablets, 120mg twice each day at first increasing to 160mg twice daily if needed. Maximum dose is 480mg in divided doses daily. Secondary prevention of heart attack, Securon SR and Half Securon SR, start at least 1 week after first heart attack, 360mg each day in divided doses. Securon N, consult manufacturer's literature.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver or kidney disorders, heart con duction disturbances, bradycardia (slow heartbeat), 1st degree heart block. Patients with weak hearts require digitalis and/or diuretics.

Avoid Use

Children, some kinds of heart block, heart shock, sick sinus syndrome, serious bradycardia, heart attack with bradycardia, severe low blood pressure or failure of left ventricle, uncompensated heart failure, low blood pressure below certain level, some types of heart flutter or fibrillation (Securon N must not be used and oral preparations should be used very cautiously).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Digoxin, B-bloekers (Securon IV must not be used), cimetidine, muscle relaxant drugs, inhaled anaesthetics, cyclosporin, rifampicin, antihypertensives, lithium, antiarrhythmics, carbamazepine, theophylline, phenobarbitone, phenytoin, alcohol, grapefruit juice.

Known Side Effects

Constipation. In rare cases, vomiting, reversible liver dysfunction, swelling of ankles due to fluid retention, nausea, headaches, fatigue, dizziness, allergic reactions, hypotension, abnormal enlargement of breasts, increased growth of gum tissues, flushes, decrease in heart rate and motility of heart muscle, 2nd or 3rd degree heart block, low blood pressure.