The effect of verapamil on the treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia in the spinal cord injured population

Abstract

Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, was tested alone and in combination with oxybutynin chloride for its clinical effectiveness in the treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia in a spinal cord injured population. Fourteen patients with detrusor hyperreflexia were included. All patients were treated with oxybutynin chloride alone and with the combination of oxybutynin chloride and verapamil. Six of the patients were also studied on no medication and verapamil alone. Cystometric and clinical comparisons were made with each change in drug dosage. Verapamil 240SL, when used alone, produced a delay in the first detrusor contraction as compared to no medication in 5 of the 6 patients but clinical improvement was insignificant. Clinical improvement with tolerable side effects was noted in 13 of the 14 patients treated with the combination of oxybutynin chloride and verapamil over oxybutynin alone. Our early experience with verapamil suggests that it may be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of detrusor hyperreflexia. © 1989 International Medical Society of Paraplegia.