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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Verapamil Question?
        
(Message started by: mwt on Mar 24^th, 2007, 4:42pm)

Title: Verapamil Question?
Post by mwt on Mar 24^th, 2007, 4:42pm

I've been using Verapamil for years now for my CH and its worked pretty good. I recently changed insurance and my new doctor gave me 80mg pills and 240mg tablets to take. The pharmacy told me not to take both of them at the same time and the doctor said its okay. Anyone got an opinion on this one? Oh yes, right now I've been taking 960mg daily using only the 80mg pills and my cycle is starting to peak.

Thanks,
Mark

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by Gator on Mar 24^th, 2007, 5:26pm

Is one standard release and the other slow release? That may have something to do with the pharmacists warning.

Go back and ask both the doc and the pharmacist to be specific as to why you can or should not use them at the same time.

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by Redd on Mar 24^th, 2007, 7:13pm

I tend to agree with Mike, that one could be the PM version, and the other standard release.

I was under a perscription assistance plan and the only verap they covered was the once a day PM type, and that was at 100 MG/ per capsule.

Check and make sure you aren't going to do more harm than good.

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by BB on Mar 24^th, 2007, 7:24pm

You do need to double check with your doctor but it sounds like the 80 mg is the immediate release and the 240 mg is the slow release. How were you instructed to take them ? Both at the same time 2,3 times per day or each at different times ?

As long as they are both verapamil, generally there is no harm in taking them together, providing that the total amount is not too much that it causes you hypotension ( low blood pressure ) or other side effects, such as oedema ( fluid retention ) or constipation.

Sometimes doctors prescribe a combination of slow and standard release meds to make sure the patient gets a high enough dose for it to reach therapeutic level with a sustained effect to last all day.

In similar vein, people here take standard release melatonin and slow release one together at night so that they get a high enough level in the blood for it to work plus having the continous level to last through the night.

If in doubt, always check with your doctor. The pharmacist doesnt really know you nor your condition, he gave the warning purely in case you misundertood the doctors instruction and wasnt supposed to take both. Your doctor is the prescriber and the one responsible for your health.

Good luck with it all and painfree wishes to you.

Annette

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by E-Double on Mar 24^th, 2007, 8:02pm

read my mind folks.........

The immediate release is what the research suggests as a better option for us.

It made a world of difference when I had changed to that as well

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by BikerBob on Mar 25^th, 2007, 12:34am

on 03/24/07 at 19:24:42, BB wrote:

There's no such thing as "slow release" verapamil. There's...

- ER (extended release), releases over 24 hours

- SR (sustained release), releases over 12 hours

- Regular, releases over 3-4 hours

Several clusterheads here have found that using the regular, multiple times per day, is more effective as a CH preventive than the same mg/day of the ER or SR.

The same thing goes for melatonin. There's no "slow release" melatonin but there's a relatively new Sustained Release (SR) that's probably useless.

BB

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by BB on Mar 25^th, 2007, 6:06am

Slow release is the same as sustained release ::)

Annette

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by mwt on Mar 25^th, 2007, 5:02pm

Thanks everyone,
My verapamil 240mg is SR and the 80mg says nothing. This is starting to make sense now.
Thanks again
Mark

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by Judge_Smails on Mar 26^th, 2007, 1:13pm

Question for you: This is the first time I've tried Verapamil, I'm taking 480mg/day. I was doing great while also on my Pred taper, however, since ending the Pred on Friday I've had pretty consistant shadows all day.

I'm not complaining, shadows are better then getting hit, I'm just asking those with more Verapamil experience - how effective is it? Do you still get hit, If so how often, etc.

I've got about 3 more weeks in my cycle and I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'm in for (keeping in mind that obviously everyone is different).

Thanks

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by JeffB on Mar 26^th, 2007, 6:15pm

on 03/25/07 at 06:06:21, BB wrote:

Slow release is the same as sustained release ::)

Annette

Thank you! ;)

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by BikerBob on Mar 26^th, 2007, 6:58pm

on 03/25/07 at 06:06:21, BB wrote:

Slow release is the same as sustained release ::)

Annette

Unless it's extended release ::)

BB

Title: Re: Verapamil Question?
Post by chewy on Mar 26^th, 2007, 7:44pm

Quote:

I'm just asking those with more Verapamil experience - how effective is it? Do you still get hit, If so how often, etc.

Very!

The frequency and intensity of the hits decreases.