Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DILACOR XR versus VASCOR.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: DILACOR XR versus VASCOR.
DILACOR XR vs VASCOR
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Diltiazem inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, resulting in dilation of coronary and systemic arteries, decreased myocardial contractility, and reduced sinoatrial and atrioventricular conduction velocity.
VASCOR (bepridil) is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and smooth muscle cells, reducing contractility and oxygen demand. It also has class I and IV antiarrhythmic properties.
180 to 240 mg orally once daily, administered on an empty stomach; maximum dose 480 mg once daily.
Bepridil hydrochloride (Vascor) is typically dosed as 200 mg to 400 mg orally once daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal half-life: 6-12 hours (prolonged in elderly, hepatic impairment, or with CYP3A4 inhibitors)
Terminal elimination half-life: 6-8 hours (normal renal/hepatic function). May be prolonged in hepatic impairment; unchanged in renal impairment.
Renal (70% as metabolites, 3-4% as unchanged drug); biliary/fecal (25-30%)
Primarily hepatic metabolism; ~70% excreted in feces as metabolites, ~30% in urine (largely as metabolites). <2% excreted unchanged in urine.
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker