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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2005 >> Verapamil Taper
        
(Message started by: LasVegas on Sep 6^th, 2005, 5:57pm)

Title: Verapamil Taper
Post by LasVegas on Sep 6^th, 2005, 5:57pm

Does anybody have a link or info as to how to properly taper a 480mg dosage of Verapamil down to zero?

Title: Re: Verapamil Taper
Post by lionsound on Sep 6^th, 2005, 7:01pm

it IS very important that you do taper SLOWLY. I would ask your doc about specifics because it can vary from person to person.

Title: Re: Verapamil Taper
Post by E-Double on Sep 6^th, 2005, 8:11pm

Slow.......

How long have you been on it?
What kind are you taking?

could do 360> 240> 120> 0
400>320>240>160>80>0

You could decrease and change the times of day so that you remain covered.

Good luck!!

Title: Re: Verapamil Taper
Post by don on Sep 7^th, 2005, 7:45am

Talk to your Doc. He should be the one monitoring you.

Title: Re: Verapamil Taper
Post by LasVegas on Sep 9^th, 2005, 6:21pm

Have no doc, so on my own and hopefully some links and/or good advice from this board....have been on Verapamil SR at 480mg for over a month....80 mg tablets....started taper to 400mg about a week ago, after 3 days, tapered to 320mg and was thinking drop 80mg every 3 days until zero...does this seem like a proper taper based on your knowledge/experience? Thanks in advance for any replies....Gregg in Las Vegas

Title: Re: Verapamil Taper
Post by LeLimey on Sep 9^th, 2005, 6:24pm

It seems like too fast a taper to me Gregg.. the recommendation we get here is to drop one pill per fortnight because if it does flare back up its alot easier to increase than it is to begin again.
Hope that helps!

Title: Re: Verapamil Taper
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Sep 9^th, 2005, 8:09pm

Hi Gregg,

It took me 4 months to fully taper my Verap from 480mg/day to 0.

I went down to 360mg/day for 2 weeks with no problem. Then went down to 240mg/day for 2 weeks with no problem. However, it took me about 5-6 weeks to get down to 120mg/day without shadows kicking in. This was despite the fact I knew my cycle was over. It took even longer to go from 120mg/day to 0. My doc and I were driving the pharmacy and my insurance company crazy!

All told, after I was certain my cycle had ended, to took a full 4+ months to become drug-free without shadows.

Hope this helps. I know how hard it is for you doing this long distance without a doc doing constant monitoring.

There are many here (myself included) who believe prevents like Verap extend your cycles. But, truth is, I couldn't stand a 12 week cycle of full-blown CHA's when Verap is so good at cutting the intensity and frequency down.

The good thing is if your cycles are fairly far apart like mine, those 4 months of weaning off are worth it.

Hugs,

Kris

Title: Re: Verapamil Taper
Post by LasVegas on Sep 10^th, 2005, 2:15am

Well the most recent 2 posts make a lot of sense, will taper a bit slower, just in case-fingers crossed, thanks.