Posted by DocGreg on June 05, 1999 at 18:46:33:
In Reply to: How long does it take to get Verapamil to work? posted by Laura H. on June 05, 1999 at 11:32:10:
Laura,
A couple of things.
First, it is not safe to break the slow release pills of verapamil...defeats the "slow release", allowing all of the medication to be absorbed at once.
Second, 240mg is not very much. The fact that you are only 30 would suggest you could take levels much higher without any problem. 240 is the lowest dose that I would start a cluster head on...often working up to 360 and then 480. 120 will most likely not benefit you. The worst side effect is usually constipation...but it can slow your heart a bit and make you a little lightheaded or fatigued.
Time to onset varies a lot between certain people. I use verapamil myself, and I see a benefit within a couple of days, with the full effect within a couple weeks. If you are not seeing much help within a couple of weeks...I doubt you ever will. If I can't get a patient controlled within a month or so, I'll move on to something else.
Verapamil is a good drug for the treatment of clusters. I hope it works for you.
Good luck
Greg