Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects of high-dose continuous intravenous verapamil infusion

9 patients (age range 31 to 57 yrs) with progressive cancer disease and without cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic dysfunctions.

Verapamil continuous intravenous infusion (loading dose 0.15 mg/kg followed by 12 hrs at 0.20 mg/kg/hr, then increased every 24 hrs to 0.25, 0.30, 0.35, and 0.40 mg/kg/hr, with the highest rate maintained for 48 hrs) along with doxorubicin, hydrochlorothiazide, and potassium.

Steady state concentration (Css) and systemic clearance of verapamil and nor-verapamil for each infusion ratesurrogate