What happens is the patient would get all 120 mg of the verapamil in.

Once released, a medication has limited time in the body. The problem arises with the 120mg strength. The real problem happens when the intended product is the extended release tablet but the prescription is written or phoned in to the pharmacy as verapamil 120mg tablets, take 1 tablet daily instead of verapamil ER 120mg tablets, take 1 tablet daily. The extended release (ER) tablet will provide the drug slowly over a 24 hour period but the immediate release tablet provide all the medication at the same time.

When a drug is available in more than one dosage forms, there is the potential for error. For example verapamil is a medication often used to lower blood pressure or to treat cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart beats). Errors Associated With Extended Release Medications There are several types of medication errors.

The immediate release tablet must be given every 8 hours to maintain its effectiveness. There is an immediate release (the tablet releases the drug relatively quickly) and an extended release (the tablet releases the drug slowly over a period of time) tablet of 120 mg verapamil.

It is available in many strengths from several manufacturers.