Pharmacokinetics of verapamil and its major metabolite, norverapamil from oral administration of verapamil in rabbits with hepatic failure induced by carbon tetrachloride.

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic changes of verapamil and its major metabolite, norverapamil, after oral administration of verapamil (10 mg/kg) in rabbits with slight, moderate and severe hepatic failure induced by carbon tetrachloride. The plasma verapamil concentrations in all groups of hepatic failure were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than the control. However, the plasma norverapamil concentrations in severe hepatic failure were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the control. The peak concentrations (Cmax) and the areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of verapamil in the rabbits were significantly (p<0.01) higher than the control. The absolute bioavailability (F(A.B)) and the relative bioavailability (F(R.B)) of verapamil in the rabbits with hepatic failure were significantly higher (13.6-22.2% and 150-244%, respectively) than the control (9.1% and 100%, respectively). Although the AUC and Cmax of its major metabolite, norverapamil, in slight, moderate hepatic failure were not significantly lower than the control, the metabolite-parent AUC ratio in all groups of hepatic failure was decreased significantly (p < 0.05, in slight group; p < 0.01, in moderate and severe group) than the control. This could be due to decrease in metabolism of verapamil in the liver because of suppressed hepatic function in the hepatic failure groups because verapamil is mainly metabolized in the liver. From our data, it would seem appropriate that in patients with liver disease, doses of verapamil should be decreased by degree of hepatic failure.