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        New Message Board Archives >> 2002 Posts >> Verapamil   (?)
        
(Message started by: Tim_w on Nov 17^th, 2002, 1:57pm)

Title: Verapamil (?)
Post by Tim_w on Nov 17^th, 2002, 1:57pm

Can anyone tell me the difference in Verapamil er ( er ) and Verapamil (sr ) was taking 720mil aday of Verapamil (sr) seemed to help. now Iam taking 720 mil of Verapamil (er) and it is not working worth a sh_t! I would be thankful for any help I can get! Thanks Timw (aka) happy pappy pfdan to all ???

Title: Re: Verapamil (?)
Post by don on Nov 17^th, 2002, 4:15pm

One is immidiate release ER the other is sustained release SR

Title: Re: Verapamil (?)
Post by jonny on Nov 17^th, 2002, 4:49pm

Extended release "ER"

Dumbass.....No wait, thats me.....LOL

..........................jonny

Title: Re: Verapamil (?)
Post by Ueli on Nov 17^th, 2002, 5:01pm

Verapamil (generic name) is an old drug, e.g. all patents have expired.

This has 2 consequences:

The same drug is marketed under different brand names: Verapamil, Isoptin, Calan, Covera, Verelan and a few dozens more.
Some manufactures add some more or less fancy properties, in an attempt to grab a larger share of the market.

There are basically 3 different forms of Verapamil:

The regular form (no additional letter after the name). This is the form most suitable for clusterheads, and recommended by Dr. Goadsby.
The sustained-release form (has usually SR after the name, e.g. Calan SR). Although they are useful for some heart conditions, there are quite a few clusterheads that got better results by changing from the SR to the regular form.
The extended-release or controlled-onset forms (with ER, PM or HS after the name, e.g. Verelan PM, Covera HS). These are designed to be taken before bed time and developing their action around wake up time. An useful feature for some heart conditions but quite contrary to what a clusterhead needs.

The SR form gives a more level serum concentration throughout the day than the regular form. But that is of minor importance for a clusterhead, it takes several days to reach the point where it does do its job. Nevertheless, it's not a bad idea to split the daily dose into 2 or 3 parts taken throughout the day.

As it is so important, I repeat: :)
Dr. Goadsby recommends the regular Verapamil. For some unknown reason it is more suitable for clusterheads. We had here quite a few reports here, confirming this. And an added benefit: regular Verapamil is usually the cheapest.

And since I'm already on the topic ;D, Goadsby says: "Up the Verapamil until the cluster attacks are suppressed, side-effects intervene or the maximum dose of 960mg daily is achieved."

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: Verapamil (?)
Post by don on Nov 17^th, 2002, 7:07pm

Jonny

your right on both counts ;D