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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2003 >> Immediate versus sutained release verapamil?
        
(Message started by: SeanM on Jan 21^st, 2003, 10:15pm)

Title: Immediate versus sutained release verapamil?
Post by SeanM on Jan 21^st, 2003, 10:15pm

I saw a post indicating a difference between the immediate release and the sustained release.

Can somebody fill me in on this. Thanks.

SeanM

Title: Re: Immediate versus sutained release verapamil?
Post by Dave_W on Jan 22^nd, 2003, 12:38pm

Hi Sean,

One of the pain centers (in Illinois I think) says on its web site that episodic clusterheads might respond better to instant-release forms of verapamil and lithium. I have found this to be so with lithium but not verapamil, I'm sure it varies from person to person...

The same paper said that the sustained-release forms of those two drugs might be better for chronic clusterheads.

It's worth an experiment in my humble (non-medical) opinion. Wish I could find the link for you...

Old Decrepit Dave

Title: Re: Immediate versus sutained release verapamil?
Post by Ueli on Jan 22^nd, 2003, 8:28pm

Prof Peter Goadsby and Dr Manjit Matharu, two of the worlds leading authorities in CH, recommend the regular release Verapamil, as it shows better results. The reason for this is not exactly know, could be that the different mix of metabolites is the cause (Verapamil itself is not active, but some of the about a dozen metabolites (break down products) are pharmacolically active). Anyway, the number of people who got better results be changing from extended to regular release is growing. The difference in price is small, and in the favor of the regular.

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: Immediate versus sutained release verapamil?
Post by traym4 on May 15^th, 2003, 3:19am

HELLO,

MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN ON BOTH FORMS OF VERAPAMIL. HIS PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN ACTUALLY PUT HIM ON REGULAR RELEASE. YES THERE ARE SOME PYSICHIANS OUT THERE WHO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT CLUSTERS AND DO TRY TO HELP. WE WENT A NEW NEURO(LORETTA MUELLER- UNIVERSITY HEADACHE CENTER NJ) AND SHE SAID THE PHYSICIAN HAD THE RIGHT IDEA BUT THE EXTENDED RELEASE SEEMS TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A STEADY LEVAL OF VERAPAMIL IN YOUR SYSTEM. I HOPED THIS HELPED.

TRACEY

Title: Re: Immediate versus sutained release verapamil?
Post by Ueli on May 15^th, 2003, 7:05pm

No Tracey, your post didn't help :(

on 01/22/03 at 20:28:25, Ueli wrote:

Prof Peter Goadsby and Dr Manjit Matharu, two of the worlds leading authorities in CH, recommend the regular release Verapamil, as it shows better results. The reason for this is not exactly know, could be that the different mix of metabolites is the cause (Verapamil itself is not active, but some of the about a dozen metabolites (break down products) are pharmacolically active). Anyway, the number of people who got better results be changing from extended to regular release is growing.

There are very few doubting that Prof Peter Goadsby and Dr Manjit Matharu are the topnotch experts on clusterheadaches, so what they are saying is as good as the gospel.

It is a well known fact that a change in Verapamil dosing takes 5 to 7 days to show an effect. Therefore, the somewhat smoother concentration throughout the day from extended release Verapamil does not outweigh the advantages of the regular release version.

And I repeat: we had many reports from people who got better results when switchin from extended to regular.

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: Immediate versus sutained release verapamil?
Post by NewHeadPLZ on May 16^th, 2003, 1:32pm

I guess I must be an exception to the rule. The ER version seems to work better for me. I switched to the regular release after not getting any relief and things went downhill. Got on prednisone again and ER tabs at 720mg a day and seem to be doing a little better. Least I slept for two nights without waking up :)

Keep in mind everybody is different, try them both, stick with what works!