Understanding Verapamil.

uses of Verapamil

Verapamil is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure ( hypertension ) . Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Verapamil is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Verapamil may also affect heart rate.

how to use of Verapamil

Take Verapamil by mouth with or without food, usually once daily at bedtime or as directed by your doctor. Swallow capsules whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Doing so can destroy the long action of drug and may increase side effects.

If you prefer, we may sprinkle entire contents of a capsule on a small amount of cool, soft applesauce just before taking. Swallow mixture immediately. Don't chew the mixture, and don't save mixture for future use.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with Verapamil unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, body size and response to therapy. If we have severe liver problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted.

Use Verapamil regularly in order to get most benefit from it. To help we remember, take it at the same time each day. It's important to continue taking Verapamil even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take up to a week before full benefit of Verapamil takes effect.

Don't suddenly stop taking Verapamil without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

Inform your doctor if your condition worsens ( e. g. , your routine blood pressure readings increase ) .

other used of Verapamil

This section contains uses of Verapamil that aren't listed in approved professional labeling for drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use Verapamil for a condition that's listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

Verapamil may also be used to treat chest pain ( angina ) , irregular heartbeat, certain other types of heart disease ( e. g. , hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ) , or for prevention of migraines.

If used for angina, Verapamil must be taken regularly to be effective. It should not be used to treat angina attacks when they occur. Use other medications ( e. g. , sublingual nitroglycerin ) to relieve an angina attack as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

side effects of Verapamil

Dizziness, nausea, headache, fatigue and constipation may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.

To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. If we become constipated while using Verapamil, consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a stool softener.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Verapamil because he or she has judged that the benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Verapamil do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur:

A very serious allergic reaction to Verapamil is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

This isn't a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

precautions of Verapamil

Before taking Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other calcium channel blockers ( e. g. , diltiazem, nifedipine ) ; or if we have any other allergies.

Verapamil should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

Before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Verapamil may make we dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.

Verapamil prolongs and intensifies effects of alcohol in your system. Limit alcoholic beverages while using this medication.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that we are taking Verapamil.

Verapamil should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.

Verapamil passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using Verapamil isn't recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

interactions of Verapamil

See also How to Use section.

Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for it. Don't start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Verapamil should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur while use Verapamil:

If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Verapamil.

Before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of:

Verapamil also may affect how your body gets rid of some drugs ( e. g. , cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus, eplerenone, erythromycin, quinidine, midazolam, triazolam, tizanidine, statins including simvastatin, certain anti-seizure drugs including carbamazepine ) .

Check the labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction ) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure or heart rate ( e. g. , pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen ) . Ask your pharmacist about safe use of those products.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Verapamil, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

overdose of Verapamil

If overdose of Verapamil is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe dizziness/fainting, fast/irregular/very slow heartbeat, confusion.

notes of Verapamil

Don't share Verapamil with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.

Laboratory and/or medical tests ( e. g. , liver function tests, heart exam, blood pressure, electrocardiograms ) may be performed from time to time to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

There are different brands and types of Verapamil available. Many do not have same effects. Do not change brands or types without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking Verapamil. Discuss with your doctor how to monitor your own blood pressure.

missed dose of Verapamil

If we miss a dose Verapamil, take it as soon as you remember. If it's near time of next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose of Verapamil to catch up.

storage of Verapamil

Store Verapamil at room temperature at 77 degrees F ( 25 degrees C ) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F ( 15-30 degrees C ) is permitted. Don't store Verapamil in bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Properly discard Verapamil when it's expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Verapamil with EU shipping

Migraine Increases Risk Of Severe Skin Sensitivity And Pain

People with migraine are more likely to experience exacerbated skin sensitivity or pain after non-painful daily activities such as rubbing one's head, combing one's hair and wearing necklaces or earrings, compared to people with other types of headache, according to a study published in the April 22, 2008, issue of Neurology�, medical journal of American Academy of Neurology .

Researchers surveyed 16, 573 people with headache about their type of headache, frequency, quality of life, depression and other illnesses that cause pain. The survey identified 11, 737 participants with migraine, 1, 491 with probable migraine ( individuals have all but one of the symptoms required for migraine diagnosis ) and 3, 345 with another kind of headache.

The study found that 68 percent of those who reported almost daily headaches ( chronic migraine ) and 63 percent of those with episodic migraines reported allodynia, name of this intensified and unpleasant, painful skin sensitivity. Forty-two percent of people with probable migraine reported skin pain compared to 37 percent of those with daily or tension headache.

" This condition causes discomfort or pain even during everyday activities like touching one's hair or putting on clothes, " said study author Marcelo E. Bigal, MD, PhD, with Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. " More importantly, this condition may be a risk factor for migraine progression, where individuals have migraines on more days than not. Identifying risk factors for progression is a very important public health priority. For example, it may be that individuals with allodynia should be more aggressively treated in order to prevent migraine progression, as well as to decrease this sensitivity on skin. '

The study also found this type of skin pain was more common in women with migraine and people with migraine who were obese or had depression.

The study was supported by the National Headache Foundation through a grant from Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 21, 000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.

For more information about American Academy of Neurology, visit http: //www. aan. com.

American Academy of Neurology ( AAN ) 1080 Montreal Ave. St. Paul, MN 55116 United States http: //www. neurology. org

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