Verapamil Er - Capsule Vs. Tablet

Pharmacy has changed my RX from a capsule to tablet (with approval from Dr.) Dosage is the same 240 and both are XR. Pharmacy says they can't get capsules any more, only tablets. Since the change-over (about 2 -3 months ago) my blood pressure has been inching back up and now soldily back in the "high blood pressure" readings. Doctor has temporarily increased my dosage of lisinopril (I take both) but wants my primary care to do a complete work up.

Has anyone else had problems with tablet form not working? (Capsule worked for at least 2 years or more the change is only since switch to tablet.)

My symptoms with uncontrolled high blood pressure include severe headaches and double vision. It is my top number (systolic?) that is increasing from 80s range to avg 150 and up. (I am female, 59 yoa, not obese)

I am scheduled to see my primary care Dr. but I'd like to know if there is any possiblity that the changed form of the medication (tablet vs. capsule) could be causing the problem since these changes seem to have started when the form of medication was changed.

I take Nexium in the am and ranitidine in the pm for GERD of long standing.

Thanks for any help.

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REPORT

YEs, it is possible that it is due to the change in the medication.

Though the pharmacy doesn't tell you this, there can be differences in generic medications. They usually don't mention it, because the differences are subtle and don't cause problems for most people, but for those who are sensitive to them, the allowable fluctuations can cause problems.

The U.S. FDA allows generics to differ in the active ingredient by as much as plus or minus 20%. And generics do not have to measure against each other.

Thus, if you were taking on that had the full 240mgs of the active ingredient and the new one doesn't, it could explain the sudden elevation of your blood pressure.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Verapamil/­

Your doctor may need to increase your dosage slightly to accommodate for this change.

Are there any other questions?

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Thanks for your response. I wanted to take as much info as possible with me to the Dr.'s office. You've been very helpful.


One other question: if the label says Verapamil (as the only name listed on the RX) it is generic? What would the name brand be? I thought the name brand was Verapamil. So might I be better off requesting the name brand for this drug?

Thanks again.

Thanks for you

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Nightingale, yes, Verapamil is the generic, the U.S. brand name is Isoptin or Isoptin SR for the time released formulation.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Isoptin/­

Yes, you can ask your doctor to write the prescription as 'Brand Medically Necessary', to avoid the fluctuations in the medication.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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No, Erwon, I'm good. Thanks so much for your help. I took your info. to the Dr. with me and we're working on stabilizing my BP. Thanks, again.

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My pharmacy said they couldn't get the tablet form I had been using and only have capsules. Since taking the gray & yellow capsules with 60274/180mg imprinted my blood pressure had been rising after being steady for years. Also have muscle pain symptoms now. Will see Dr next week. Anyone else have muscle pain?

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When I changed verapamil 240 mg capsules in walmart for the same dosage in tablets, my BP went down, I feel very happy and reduce my dosage. I think that the capsules that i had taking have the active ingredient in low concentration than tablets. IDK if it is the brands or concentration

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My pharmacy switched from the tablets to the capsules. After several years of good blood pressure readings with the tablets, when I changed to the capsules both my systolic and diastolic readings suddenly jumped 30 to 40 points going as high as 190/120.. When I changed back to the tablets my blood pressure returned to 125/85
almost immediately.

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I used the 120mg mr(metered release) capsules with good success for cluster headaches, I have recently had them changed to the standard 120mg tablets, my Dr says the nhs wont allow the capsules anymore, but since, my headaches are back, could it be this change?

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I have beenin verapamil 120mg tablets for about 3years.
For the past few months mt surgery pharmacy have not been able to get the tablets. I have been making my own enquiries at local chemists and managed to get hold of odd 28 tab packs. Boots chemists told me they have the capsules, but cannot give them to me IF TABLET IS ON THE PRESCRIPTION.
This month my pharmacy had them for the first time since Christmas, but when I opened them, found they are capsules, not tablets, can you advise please?

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I have also had blood pressure rise after change from solid tablet to time released capsul maker is Watson. It was perfect before change. I'm 60 and active-runner -medium build-male

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Where do you get solid tablets ?my pressure has also jumped the same since change to capsule. Help

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When I had to change my pharmacy, they filled my Verapamil with tablets instead of capsules. Started in January. The tablets don't seem to take care of my blood pressure for 24 hours like the caps did. Are the tablets time release?

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In tablet form verapamil comes in both immediate-release and sustained release versions. If you were given timed-release, the drug name printed on your prescription (bottle, detailed receipt, etc) should include SR for sustained-release (or possibly ER for extended-release).

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I am now back on the 180 mg Verapamil capsule and my blood pressure is stabilized.

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I'm interested in Verapamil because the University of Alabama (UAB) is conducting a study to see if lowers blood sugar in diabetics. At least they have some happy mice from their lab testing:)

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That would be wonderful, especially for Type I diabetics, In some other verapamil/diabetes news -- which, if accurate might give pause to Type II diabetics who take both verapamil and metformin -- Korean researchers claim that a human study shows that verapamil reduces the glucose-lowering effects of metformin by two-thirds. This is purported to be due to verapamil blocking liver uptake of metformin. That study was done in healthy adults, not diabetics. Google ""Verapamil decreases the glucose-lowering effect of metformin in healthy volunteers"

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Sams club has tablet. Mine was changed to time release. Watson was maker. Bp went too high I thought it was new time release capsule. It was!!
Back on tablet , made doc write tablet. Blood pressure normal again.

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I had oppose results. Was switch from tablet to time released capsule. Bp went high. Thought it was capsule-it was!! Switch back to tablet by making doc write tablet on prescription. SAMs club had tablet . Bp normal again

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Hi i am 27 and have a loop recorder inserted. My heart apparently goes too fast every now and again. So i have been on Verapamil for about 8weeks. I was given the capsules and after a week i settled on these fine, but then the pharmacy didn't have the capsules only the tablets. So i said yes no problem if they are the same. And since i have been getting short of breath easily an blood pressure has dropped slightly. Do you think this is the change in meds or something else. I have also had my dose increased.

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Make absolutely sure the pharmacy didn't give you *immediate-release* tablets. Make sure it says SR (sustained release) or ER (extended release) on it. But in addition do check with your doctor, it's nothing to fool around with.

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Re: ksmiggy (# 8)

Same thing is happening to me. New doctor switched me from SR capsules to ER tablets, same dosage and migraines are back in force!

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Is Verapamil ER (extended release) the same as SR (sustained release)? Do SR and ER come in both capsule and tablet form?

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can verapamil ER cause urinary incontince

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