Verapamil allergy? HELP!

Hey there :)

My doctor prescribed Verapamil (120 mg) for my constant cluster headaches. I took my first pill (i only take one every night) last night. I woke up with really bad eye pain and was sensitive to light and sounds, but the weirdest thing was an itchy, red rash all over my neck and chest!!

Am I allergic to this medication? Should I stop taking it?

[Dr Rajput]

Hi, welcome to the forum, such reactions are quite rare with verapamil but can be possible. It is known to cause rash in 1.2 % of patients. Eye symptoms are suggestive of allergic conjunctivitis.

- Firstly you need to undergo examination of the eye which includes External examination, Slit-lamp examination of Eyelids, Conjunctiva, Tear film and Cornea by an Ophthalmologist.
- Frequent use of artificial tears.
- avoid further exposure to verapamil and report this to your doctor immediately.
- Short-term administration of over-the-counter topical antihistamine/vasoconstictor agents will help.
- This condition also needs systemic anti histamines and corticosteroid against prescription. I suggest you to consult your doctor. Take care and regards.

[daydreamer101]

Thank you for your response!

Throughout the week after I posted this, the rash spread over my torso, arms, hands, legs (everywhere). Now it's gone. (I stopped taking Verapamil after I discovered the rash.)

But a week BEFORE this i was taking an antibiotic (I had my wisdom teeth removed) ... could the rash be from the antibiotic?

Thank you so much!

[Sassy2656]

I 've been taking verapamil for just a couple of days 120mg.  I am taking it for high blood pressure.  I dont do very well with medication as it is if there is a side effect it will find me.  But with verapamil I have never felt so bad on a medication.  My hands feel swollen and tingly.  I feel like a have a bad case of the flu.  The best I can do is go from the bed to the bathroom because I feel like I will hit the ground.  I check my blood pressure twice a day it it has been 100/68.  I am ready to get off of this because i just cant function.  I know my doctor is getting annoyed because this is the 3rd one we tried.  Diovan swelled up my mouth and tongue and a non stop dull headache and another one I cant think of which gave me dull depress feeling.  Guess i am just as frustrated as my doctor but I have to ignore that and speak up when something is just not working.  Anyone else experience flu like symptoms and tingly feelings in your hands?

Thanks in advance

[Tici46]

Dont bother with drugs, i have tried verapamil and i also get sideeffects, ive tried so many tdifferent things and i am proned to side effects, unfortunately we are people whos bodies cant tolerate constant drugs in our system. Its a good thing. I would suggest you see a naturalpathic doctor like i have. They are a great help. You just need to find a good one like i have and stick with the plan.