Calcium Channel Blockers for Cluster Headaches
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| verapamil | Calan, Verelan |
How It Works
It is not clear exactly how verapamil works to prevent cluster headaches.
Why It Is Used
Verapamil is used to prevent cluster headaches. You take it every day during a cluster cycle
How Well It Works
Verapamil works very well to prevent cluster headaches during a cluster cycle. It can also be used daily to prevent chronic cluster headaches.1
Side Effects
Usually, verapamil causes very few side effects. Verapamil may cause:
- Constipation.
- Orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure upon standing).
- Water retention, such as swollen legs.
- Fatigue.
- Changes in or problems with the way your heart beats (heart rhythm abnormalities).
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
People who take verapamil need to be watched closely and have regular tests. Because verapamil can affect how the heart beats (its rhythm), this medicine should be used with caution in people who have problems with the electrical system that regulates the heart rate (a condition called heart block). Some research shows that all people taking this medicine should regularly have a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to make sure the heart's rhythm is still normal.
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