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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Verapamil dosage
        
(Message started by: Peter on Aug 27^th, 2005, 4:29am)

Title: Verapamil dosage
Post by Peter on Aug 27^th, 2005, 4:29am

Hi

Is there a "typical dosage" that is prescribed for using Verapamil, my doctor is going to try it with me, he isn't too experienced in CH and is talking about 40mg 3 times a day, I'm sure most sufferers using Verapamil have used a much higher dose ? Any comments are welcome.

Cheers

Peter ( uk )

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 27^th, 2005, 6:53am

Not unusual to use Verap in the 700-900mg range although starting in the area of 240+ is common, with upward adjustments as your experience dictates.

If your doc is not experienced in treating cluster, suggest you print this article and give to him -- using it as a tool to guide your discussions. The author is one of the better headache doc in the U.S.

Here is a link to read and print and take to your doctor. It describes preventive, transitional, abortive and surgical treatments for CH. (2002)

http://www.brightok.net/~mnjday/chtherapy.pdf

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by Kevin_M on Aug 27^th, 2005, 7:53am

Bob's correct, Peter. Verapamil will take time to show any effects initially, if any when starting at 240mg, adding gradually thereafter, if needed, to get to a level that shows effective prevention. A typical level is hard to say but I've finally found results at 600mg.
When the time comes to test the water to decrease the dosage, for me, reducing to a lower amount has been felt in about 48 hours. I'll know then if I can stay at the lower dosage or need to add it back for better prevention.

Hope the verap helps.

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by bnfreeman on Aug 27^th, 2005, 1:37pm

When my GP was helping me with my clusters and he prescribed verapamil to me, he did too little and it didn't do squat. I have tried it again with my neuro and am at 240mg twice a day. And I am having great results. Best wishes!

B

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by Peter on Aug 30^th, 2005, 12:55pm

Thanks boys for the Verapamil info' it has and will help and Bob thanks, I've saved and printed the info'

My doctor relys on me to inform him what to prescribe me ;) ;)

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by Bob P on Aug 30^th, 2005, 1:23pm

From your own Prof. Goadsby in London:

Quote:

verapamil

Verapamil is the preventative drug of choice in both episodic and chronic CH. Clinical experience has demonstrated that higher doses than those used in cardiological indications are needed, so outpatient assessment and follow-up is appropriate. The dose is increased until the cluster attacks are suppressed, side-effects intervene or the maximum dose of 960mg daily is achieved.

My doc starts me at 240mg/day and ups it by 120mg every week or so.

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by OUCH_again... on Sep 1^st, 2005, 5:20am

Hi,

Hoping someone might be able to help me... I went to the docs on Monday to get my verapamil increased from 160 to 220mg and had the worst night ever last night? I don't understand, was feeling confident that the increase would knock it on the head completely - been plagued by shadows. Verapamil has helped with the past couple of cycles and now its not so good???? This has happened with other meds. Any idea why we have to keep changing meds?? Back to the neuro next week. (suffered 15+ yrs...12 undiagnosed hell)

Any tips etc would be appreciated.... did the old hot water bottle on the face last night...ahhhh

Thanks,
Kate

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by sandie99 on Sep 1^st, 2005, 11:58am

Hi there, Peter! :)

I've taken verpamil as well. My dose was first 200mg combined with another med. Then 400mg on it's own and finally 600mg, which sent my ch into remission.

Good luck! :)

Sanna :)

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by nani on Sep 2^nd, 2005, 7:57am

on 09/01/05 at 05:20:35, OUCH_again... wrote:

Any idea why we have to keep changing meds??

Hi Kate. I don't really have an answer to that, I'm afraid. Some folks get significant relief from the same meds each cycle, or even for decades (chronics). Some (like me) will find relief for a while and then the med stops working. Verapamil by itself didn't help me at all. When I added lithium, that helped for a short time. I've since decided to drop traditional meds, and found relief with alternative treatments. Good luck. pain free wishes, nani

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by LasVegas on Sep 2^nd, 2005, 10:51pm

Peter, make sure you monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis when taking Verapamil. You should ask for Prdenisone prescription to start the preventative process while Verap is kicking in. Good luck!
Gregg in Las Vegas

Title: Re: Verapamil dosage
Post by hwm54112 on Sep 3^rd, 2005, 2:15pm

I am on a minimum dose of 720mg verap. and am mostly pf. however, in feb/july dose always has to increase to 960, sometimes 1080. I titrilate my dosage alot, keeping it as low as possible. For me, if I get two HA's in a week. I increase the dose by 120mg per day until pain stops.

The "normal" (approved?)maximum dose of verapamil is 480mg per day. However, it's use for clusters is "off label" and therefore higher dosages can be justified by prescriber. The high doses scare some docs and pharmacists not familiar with CH. My neuro tells me to stop at 960, knows I go to 1080, wouldn't be surprised at 1320 but would not be happy. He's also seen me in the hospital, not knowing how I got there at "normal" doses. My own wrong opinion, for me and me alone, is that I'll use however much it takes to keep em at a tolerable level