Factors affecting the plasma protein binding of verapamil and norverapamil in man

The in vitro and vivo binding of the antiarrhythmic agent verapamil and its active metabolite norverapamil to human plasma proteins was determined under different conditions at 37 degrees C by equilibrium dialysis. The binding of verapamil was considerable (free fraction of about 0.10) and was independent of plasma concentration over the range of 50 ng/ml to 1500 ng/ml. Norverapamil was also extensively bound to plasma proteins. Verapamil binding was reduced significantly upon plasma dilution and upon addition of three of its major metabolites (norverapamil and metabolites A and B). Therapeutic concentrations of several drugs including disopyramide (12 micrograms/ml), diazepam (2 micrograms/ml), lidocaine (4 micrograms/ml), propranolol (150 ng/ml), and salicylate (250 microgram/ml) also significantly increased the free fraction of verapamil. The results of in vivo protein binding studies using plasma samples collected during a steady-state dosing interval from a patient receiving 80 mg of verapamil orally every 6 hr were similar to those obtained from vitro binding studies.