Tapering off of a Beta or Calcium Channel Blocker

[Barbmag]

I am so confused about whether it is always necessary to taper off of these meds....and if so, what is the best way to do this. For instance.. Should you take a week or more, etc? I have read conflicting reports online and my doctor did not seem to be too concerned. I was on a small dose of Toprol XL 25mg for almost a year, then when that did not seem to help reduce the PVC and PAC episodes, he switched to 180 mg of Varapamil and that did not help either so I stopped taking those about a wk ago. I called to ck w/my cardio first of course, and he said it was not necessary to taper them, but when I brought this up w/a pharmacist, she disagreed! So much frustration!!

Thanks so much for your advice. We all gain so much by coming here!
Barbara

[Michael J. McWilliams, M.D.]

I would not taper such a low dose of a beta blocker in someone with PVCs/PACs -- there isn't much medication to taper at such a low dose.  I always taper beta blockers with people with coronary disease, but again, the beta blocker is a very low dose -- not much room to taper.

I would handle verapamil about the same.

I hope this helps.