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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Verapamil and Constipation
        
(Message started by: malcolm on Jun 15^th, 2002, 1:49am)

Title: Verapamil and Constipation
Post by malcolm on Jun 15^th, 2002, 1:49am

Not a very cool topic I am afraid, but what the heck I am not proud!!

I was started on Verapamil 80mg three times a day about two weeks ago. Within a few days it stopped my CHs dead but gave me major constipation. After a few days I though I would try coming off the Verapamil because maybe the CHs had gone away. I had one day of quite marked shadow headaches and put myself back on it. They went away to my relief but I am getting very constipated again. Does it improve with time? What is the best way to help it? I am taking one Senna tablet twice a day and that seems to help.

Cheers, Malcolm

Thought this cartoon was PARTICULARLY appropriate

http://home.clara.net/malcolm.morley/constipation2.jpg

Title: Re: Verapamil and Constipation
Post by Ueli on Jun 15^th, 2002, 10:56am

Constipation is a common side effect from Verapamil, especially at the amount clusterheads take it.

However, if you don't wait for the total block up, maybe you can handle it by some simple household remedies:

Dried plums or apricots (for me, 2 or 3 a day will do the trick)
Cooked apples (by example in the form of apple pie)
Bruised linseed, a spoonful mixed with the breakfast cereals or a yoghurt. (note: the whole seed are
not digestible)
and of course, good old castor oil ;D

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: Verapamil and Constipation
Post by kristi on Jun 15^th, 2002, 7:14pm

Hey Malcolm,

One of the best natural remedies I know of is dark karo syrup. My son's pediatrician recommended we add it to his bottle once a day because the formula he was on was causing him constipation (didn't want to stop using that formula though because everything else had given him tummy gas). But if they'd recommend it for a baby, it must be very mild on your system. Keeping it in his system every day was the key to regularity.

Anyway, it's the dark karo only that works and because it's sweet, you can use it in your coffee or hot tea instead of sugar. I would try 1 tbsp. twice a day and increase if that doesn't work.

Good luck!

Title: Re: Verapamil and Constipation
Post by Marijke on Jun 16^th, 2002, 3:52pm

Hi Malcolm,

Yep, verapamil causes that. Added to what Ueli and Kristi wrote: make sure you drink enough (preferably water) and eat a whole lot of fibres (extra-fibre cereals, raw vegetables). A glass of lukewarm water in the morning might help as well, same for 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

Marijke

Title: Re: Verapamil and Constipation
Post by NotH20 on Jun 17^th, 2002, 11:13am

Malcolm - I have nothing new to add to the list, but man that cartoon was hysterical. ;D Just wanted to thank you for adding a little humor to my day.

NotH20

Title: Re: Verapamil and Constipation
Post by Bob P on Jun 17^th, 2002, 1:36pm

As shown in the OUCH site verapamil surveys, constipation is the number one side effect of verapamil.

The only thing that helped me was the old fasioned "Harsh" over the counter, phenothaline, type laxatives and even they were marginal.

If I take verap next cluster, I'm also going to ask the doc to prescribe a good laxative to go with it.