Nifedipine vs Verapamil
 | Nifedipine |  | Verapamil |  |
| This medication is used to prevent certain types of chest pain (angina). It may allow you to exercise more and decrease the frequency of angina attacks. Nifedipine belongs to a class of medications known as calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. It should not be used to treat attacks of chest pain when they occur. Use other medications (such as sublingual nitroglycerin) to relieve attacks of chest pain as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This medication may also be used to treat a certain blood circulation disorder (Raynaud's syndrome). | Verapamil is used with or without other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Verapamil is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Verapamil is also used to prevent chest pain (angina). It may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease how often you may get angina attacks. Verapamil is also used to control your heart rate if you have a fast/irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation). It helps to lower the heart rate, helping you to feel more comfortable and increase your ability to exercise. OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This drug may also be used to treat another type of heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). | |||
Alternatives
Reviews
| Add Nifedipine review This med gave me mood swings and felt tired and very depressed. Did lower BP somewhat in conjunction with other BP meds. Stopped it for 3 days and now not so tired and depressed. Caused mental changes. Going to see my Doctor soon about it. The very first time I took it I had a major allergic reaction including a blinding migraine and swelling of my face, hands, and feet. Blood pressure dropped to within normal range but I cannot stand the headaches. They get to be near migraine intensity. | Add Verapamil review I been taking (calan) verapamil since 1988 for high blood pressure. I am now taking 240 mg verapamil and 25 mg of losartan potassium to control bp. My pulse in the morning drops to high 50's. br is usually around 125/70. I watch my salt content and avoid caffeine. I was taking diovan but asked the doctor to switch me to losartan because of cost. I also take hydrochlorothiazid, tamsulosin,warfarin, avodart, and simvastatin. About 7 years ago I switched doctors and he took me off of verapamil. 5 days later I had A-fib. Chemical shock did not work. The cardiologist put me back on verapamil. In 3 days my A_fib was gone. He then increased my dosage to 240 mg twice a day. Moved to Florida. New doctor. Talked doctor into my stop taking warfarin since I had no record of a-fib for 5 years. Changed bp medicaation to one 240 mg of verapamil a day and diovan. A year later I had a-fig for one day. I am now back on warfarin. Talked the doctor in changing diovan to losartan. Saves me approx $1000 a year. I do go to the bathroom a lot. I have had radiation treatment for prostate cancerand do have an enlarged prostste. I am slightly concerned about the interaction between verapamil and simvastatin. I am 81 and still play golf 3-4 time a week. I will stay with verapamil. Have been on this for over 10yrs.Have no complaints It works for me and is the only bp med I can take because I had kidney cancer in 1998-99.With only one kidney,I can no longer take bp meds that have any ingredient that removes water from kidneys.So far am very pleased with my medication. | |||
