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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Verapamil side effects??
        
(Message started by: Turts on Oct 22nd, 2006, 7:50pm)
Title: Verapamil side effects??
Post by Turts on Oct 22nd, 2006, 7:50pm
I was wondering about side effects people suffer from their use of verapmil.

I take a single dose daily of (in cycle or not) Isoptin 240mg.
The packet comes with 4 disclaimers stuck on it

*may cause alertness/light headedness issues, dont drive, op heavy machinery

*do not stop taking abruptly without medical advise

*avoid grapefruit juice and grapefruit.  


which makes me wonder how people are effected when I see that they take 700mg etc dosages.

also wondering the effect it has on the body if daily dosages are missed?

Turts
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by brewcrew on Oct 22nd, 2006, 9:57pm
I recently tapered off 480 mg/day, and the only side effect that I found bothersome was the constipation. I did have less energy while on it, but I have found that it's not very quick to return. Also, I've been getting more regular tension-type headaches since I've been off it.

The heavy machinery stuff is garbage. I have to commute to work 25 miles each way, and once you're used to it, it's no big deal.

My doc did try taking me up to 960 mg/day, but I only made it to 720 mg/day before I started having heart palpitations and leg shakes.

The grapefruit juice thing is that you won't get the full effect of the medication. It somehow becomes less effective.
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by BB on Oct 22nd, 2006, 10:25pm

My husband is on 640 mg a day, no problem with the heart just some ankle swelling.

Didnt cause him any drowsiness though.

You need an ECG every time you taper the dose up.

Annette
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by Racer1_NC on Oct 22nd, 2006, 11:37pm

on 10/22/06 at 21:57:24, brewcrew wrote:
The grapefruit juice thing is that you won't get the full effect of the medication. It somehow becomes less effective.


I thought grapefruit intensified the effects.......going to check that out now...

Modified to add:
From RxList....

Quote:
Selected Calcium Channel Antagonists/Grapefruit

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug, changing your diet or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Very important. A change in your diet, medicine, or dosage may be necessary. Promptly consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How the interaction occurs:

When grapefruit or grapefruit juice is taken with this calcium channel blocker medicine, it may increase the amount of this medicine absorbed into your bloodstream.

What might happen:

Your blood levels of this medicine may increase. Increased blood levels may cause a lower-than-desired blood pressure or an undesirable change in heart rate.
What you should do about this interaction:

While you are taking this medicine, do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice at any time. You may choose an alternative citrus beverage (such as orange juice). In the event that you are instructed by a healthcare professional (e.g., doctor, pharmacist, or dietitian) to eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice, you should immediately discuss with your doctor the effects of grapefruit on the blood levels of this medicine.Tell your doctor immediately if symptoms of low blood pressure (such as rapid heartbeat or dizziness) occur. Also report an irregular or unusually slow heartbeat. Contact your healthcare professional for more information.Your healthcare professional may be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change your medicine or diet before checking with them first.

References:

1. Pharmazie July 1994l49(7):522-4.
2. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics June 1992;261(3):1195-9.
3. Pharmazie Sept 1994;49(9):675-9.
4. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Dec 1993;54(6):589-94.
5. Pharmacist Letter Oct 1995;11(10).
6. Medical Letter Aug 1995;37(955).
7. British J Clin Pharmacology 1998;46.
8. British J Clin Pharmacology 2000;50.
9. European J Clin Pharmacology 1996;51.


Bill
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by chopmyheadoff on Oct 23rd, 2006, 3:06am

on 10/22/06 at 21:57:24, brewcrew wrote:
The grapefruit juice thing is that you won't get the full effect of the medication. It somehow becomes less effective.


It makes it more effective mate as more is absorbed into your body.

gutted coz i like grapefruits.

Im also interested in what the implications are if you miss a dose. coz sometimes i dont make it home of a night (dont ask) and dont usually carry verap with me !!

annette - any ideas !!  :)
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by LeLimey on Oct 23rd, 2006, 3:54am
Chop you're the first person I've seen on this site apart from me who likes grapefruit! I knew you had to be good for something!
I wouldn't think missing doses is particularly good for you espcially given that you have to taper DOWN as well as up. IE you don't just stop taking it when your hits stop, you have to wean yourself off it.
I know missing a dose or taking it late sometimes is inevitable but if it's something that happens fairly regularly then you should take steps to avoid it.
I'd recommend you stick a blister pack in your wallet for the next time you get arrested  ;) (sorry.. couldn't resist winding you up!)
Helen
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by chopmyheadoff on Oct 23rd, 2006, 4:44am

on 10/23/06 at 03:54:31, LeLimey wrote:
I'd recommend you stick a blister pack in your wallet for the next time you get arrested  ;) (sorry.. couldn't resist winding you up!)
Helen


tut tut - had to be you didnt it - you cheeky moo !!!  ;)
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by BB on Oct 23rd, 2006, 5:53am

on 10/23/06 at 03:06:52, chopmyheadoff wrote:
coz sometimes i dont make it home of a night (dont ask) and dont usually carry verap with me !!

annette - any ideas !!  :)



What ideas do you want from me Chop ? About why you dont make it home some nights ?  ;)  

By the way, WHAT do you do carry with you ?

;;D


Annette
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by chopmyheadoff on Oct 23rd, 2006, 6:29am
:-[

wish id kept my gob shut now LOL

annette  :-* is it bad to miss a dose of verap ??
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by BB on Oct 23rd, 2006, 8:05am


LOL ! Just joking Chop  :)

If you are taking the Sustained Release formula, such as Isoptin SR then it is not that bad, if you miss a dose and its less than 12 hrs late you can take one anyway.

If you take the immediate release one then its more of a bother as the drug level may dip too low and your blood pressure may start to rise. But then if you get arrested by the Police as Helen suggested your blood pressure is going to rise anyway  ;;D

Each and every time you miss a dose there is a chance that your blood pressure will "break through" and rise too high, if this happens once in a blue moon then it doesnt matter at all, but if it happens too frequently then its not good for your heart nor your brain, it also can render the medication less effective overall.

Therefore to really answer this question, we need to know how often you dont make it home at nights .... and possibly the reasons why too ( the latter is just to satisfy our curiousity !  ;;D )

Glad you made it to the Board, BTW.  :-*

Wishing you PFDAN, take care and try to make it home ... I mean here , more often ....  ;)


Annette
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by chopmyheadoff on Oct 23rd, 2006, 8:19am
pmsl !!

thanks annette, you cheeky monkey !! good you i love you !!

sometimes at weekend (or on a day off) me and the mrs drive up to my mates house and go and get wasted (drunk) around the town there - i obviously cant drive home and usually plan on getting a taxi.

sometimes we dont make it and end up sleeping there - which is when i miss my verap.

i always scold myself for doing it but i never seem to remember to take it out ( i ALWAYS remember the imitrex)

i was just wondering how bad that was but you have answered my question and i think ill take it from now on !! thanks . .

oh and before you all get the wrong impression that im a wreck head - im not - its just that im a young bloke who hasnt had a propper drink for 7 years coz of these headaches.

now im on the verapamil i can drink what i want - IV A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO  ;;D
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by LeLimey on Oct 23rd, 2006, 8:23am
He's from ooop Norf but finks wiv darn Sarf if you get me meaning Annette  ;)

Chop you moron, stick those verap in your wallet now next to your mates!  ::)
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by BB on Oct 23rd, 2006, 8:37am

My suggestion :

Keep a sheet of the Verap tablets in the glove box of your car , Chop, that way you will always have some.

Even if you get wasted and cant drive I hope you still can find your way around your glove box  ::)

Annette
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by Fatcat on Oct 23rd, 2006, 8:46am
Hey Chop,

As a fellow Brit/Verap User/CHer/Dirty Stopout/Drinker, I thought I'd have my say too.  I can also (usually) drink on verapamil with no ill effects, and I've often missed a dose by accident.  If my symptoms were bad tho (like now) i probably wouldn't dare and I'd always be sure to have verapamil with me in my back pocket.
I did used to leave a packet at my girlfriend's house, but as this system wasn't fool proof, I took the additional step of getting her to move in with me instead. Problem solved ;;D

Joe
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by chopmyheadoff on Oct 23rd, 2006, 9:00am
c'mon helen , your not trying to pretend you know how to drink "darn sarf" are you ??

your all fairys down there  ;)

fatcat - i like your style mate - although im not sure if moving her in would be more of a headache LOL

BB - sound advice as always m8 - ill get a pack in there tonight !!
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by Fatcat on Oct 23rd, 2006, 9:05am

on 10/23/06 at 09:00:09, chopmyheadoff wrote:
fatcat - i like your style mate - although im not sure if moving her in would be more of a headache LOL


I did wonder about this very question and kept the old Imi handy, but she's actually spiffing to live with and makes sure that a bottle of wine is finished most nights, even during the periods when I'm not drinking. ::)
Title: Re: Verapamil side effects??
Post by brewcrew on Oct 23rd, 2006, 4:36pm

on 10/22/06 at 23:37:28, Racer1_NC wrote:
I thought grapefruit intensified the effects.......going to check that out now...

Modified to add:
From RxList....

Bill

I stand corrected. Don't know how I came to believe that, but I did. Thanks for the correction, kind sir.

One of the worst feelings in the world for me is passing along bogus information.


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