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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Verapmil and Zomig  (triptans)
        
(Message started by: madaline on Jul 28^th, 2005, 3:17pm)

Title: Verapmil and Zomig (triptans)
Post by madaline on Jul 28^th, 2005, 3:17pm

Does anyone know the answer to this: since the triptans are vasoconstrictors, and Verapamil is a vasodilator (relaxes the blood vessels) how come my doctor has given me both to use. The Ver. has definitely helped with the daytime pains (reduced significantly) and even the night attacks are a little milder, but I have used both together. Is there a real danger in that? Madaline

Title: Re: Verapmil and Zomig (triptans)
Post by unsolved1 on Jul 28^th, 2005, 3:21pm

Many use Verapamil and Triptans together. Verapamil as a preventive and Zomig as an abortive.

Glad to hear something is helping
PF Wishes
Unsolved

Title: Re: Verapmil and Zomig (triptans)
Post by madaline on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 7:52pm

Thanks, that is good to know. Madaline

Title: Re: Verapmil and Zomig (triptans)
Post by Ueli on Aug 2^nd, 2005, 9:29pm

Verapamil is definitely not a vasodilator, at least not for the average clusterhead.
(For people with high blood pressure, due to over-tightened arteries, Verapamil relaxes the vessels to their normal size. I wouldn't call that dilation, which would be an expansion beyond normal size.)

Verapamil makes the muscles around the vessels to respond sluggishly to (wrong) nerve signals that are involved in the build-up of a cluster attack.

In theory, Verapamil interferes with the action of Imitrex. But in practice a delay of a few milliseconds can be tolerated ;).

So, as unsolved said, there is no reason not to use both.

PFNADs, Ueli [smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Verapmil and Zomig (triptans)
Post by Jasmyn on Aug 3^rd, 2005, 12:29am

on 08/02/05 at 21:29:58, Ueli wrote:

In theory, Verapamil interferes with the action of Imitrex. But in practice a delay of a few milliseconds can be tolerated ;).

So, as unsolved said, there is no reason not to use both.

PFNADs, Ueli [smiley=smokin.gif]

Ueli, I always knew why I like you. After all these years on this board you still impart great info with your satirical sense of humour. ;)