Verapamil slow release 120 mg tablet versus verapamil 80mg 3x daily

[waveylines]

Hello everybody I have been on Verapamil 80mg 3xs daily for 15months and this worked well with only the odd palpitation. The only annoyance was remembering the three doses. At my review my EP suggested I went on the slow release form of Verapamil . I was diagnosed with p-Afib nearly two years ago having suffered palpitations for two years before that as a consequence of chemotherapy/radiation of chest area. Beta blockers were a disaster and made me exceedingly ill no matter which one but verapamil has been magic!

Ive only been on the slow release form for 6 days and since I started on it I have been experiencing increasing palpitations often waking me in the night but now starting or am noticing when I lie down. (I am experiencing them during the day too.) To the degree that tonight Im having to sit up. I dont understand why its not working but clearly it isnt! So will be requesting phone call to GP tomorrow.

Anyone else experienced this when switching to the same overall dose of verapamil but in the slow rease form? Grateful for any comments, epxeriences or words of wisdom. Many thanks....

[jeanjeannie50]

Sorry to hear that you're having this problem. Sometimes I wonder if its the binders and fillers in pills that are the cause. This latest slow release one probably has something in it that is increasing your palpitations. The way I see it you have two options, carry on as you are now and see if your body gets used to the new pill, or go back to the old regime of 3 pills a day, but set 3 alarms on your mobile phone to alert you that you need to take them.

Jean

[waveylines in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jeanjeanie. Ive a phone appointment with GP tomorrow. Ive also decided that I need to take the second tablet earlier than bedtime as maybe if its time release it takes a little time to build up. If Im taking one at around 8am and then the next is at 10 or 10.30 pm then its a 14hr gap so too long so this could be the issue......

I did alarm my phone with the other tablets but when working it was easy to slide past it in a meeting etc then forget. My fault!!

What's not confidence building is that I had a phone call from the GP surgery querying the time release tablets being prescribed. I had to point out that theyd been recommended in the EPs letter sent to them. So clearly nobody is reading the medical correspondence to do with my case. I despair as there is no joined up thinking or sometimes I feel any thinking at all -you really are on your own with any health issues. So am very grateful to this site with all you lovely and knowledgeable people to consult!!

[KMRobbo]

When initially diagnosed Afib, i went onto verapamil owing to issues with beta blockers. I went straight onto 120mg slow release. I thought is was great ( compared to beta blockers) but at the time was pretty much against taking tablets as I had only had one afib attack, so my GP gave me a suppy of 40mg normal release to take only if I had issues . Eventually I did have another attack which showed the error of my approach, so I went back into the 120mg slow release as it was easier. Also verapamil takes hours to get into the system so was not much use for this pill in pocket approach anyway. However I did not notice any difference between 3 x40 versus 1 x 120.

However over the course of the next 20 months my AFIB progressed and for a while I took the 120, and if I had issues took a 40mg as soon as I noticed the issues. ( as i had a supply available).

Looking back i probably I just needed a higher dose than 120mg to control the afib.( it was all new to me then)

Maybe you could discuss the dosage with your medics or use the hybrid to prove whether a higher dose stops your issues?

[waveylines in reply to KMRobbo]

Thanks KMRobbo I did think about doing that after I read your post and talked to my GP today about halfing one of my 80s.......he wasnt sure if that would be ok or not and certainly didn't offer to find out for me! Instead he suggested I gave it another week. Now Ive tried the exact spacing of 12 hrs apart and yesterday I was fine tonight even though I took my second dose two and hlaf hours ago my heart is racing and looks like I will be sat up again....lol.

[KMRobbo in reply to waveylines]

I had TWO type of 120mg slow release if I rememer corectly. The first type was a capsule and the second was a pill. After Bisoprolol and Atenolol I was paranoid about have the lowest possible drug intake and a visiting cardiologist( who is an EP and eventually performed my ablation) pandered to my whims and agreed I could half the pill for 60mg. Not possible with the capsule obviously. That was prior to trying the 40mg normal release.

ACTUALLY looking back now , I gave my medics quite a hard time with my demands for drugs that did not cause problems for me! Sorry doctors! But it is essential for QAL!

[waveylines in reply to KMRobbo]

Maybe but I agree its all about QoL. I am on the tablets. Maybe I do need a higher dose. The GP wasnt very helpful.....out of his depth.

[Bonnie58]

Hi there Wavylines,I was switched from Bisoprolol to Verapamil SR 120mgs once daily in March and within in 2 days was in dire straights, v fast AF, trip to A and E. Increasing the dose to 120 twice daily made a huge difference and I am almost fully functional at last. Are you taking 120 twice or once daily? Elaine.

[waveylines in reply to Bonnie58]

Sorry to hear that Bonnie but glad it was resolved. I take it twice daily.

[Bonnie58 in reply to waveylines]

Ah OK doesn't really explain why your AF out of kilter. Hope you get things sorted soon.

[ETHEL103]

Yes same for me. Doesn't appear to be working 120 slow release now added another 40mg at night. Still not really helping. Consultant call tomorrow.

[waveylines in reply to ETHEL103]

Oh nooo.....let me know how you get on. Im feeling gutted that the switch seems to have made me worse. Maybe I should try ringing the EPs secretary.

[ETHEL103]

Got cardio call today but TBH my BP is quite low on this dose so don't think I can go any higher.