calcium channel blocker

23 May 2018

Female Sexual Dysfunction and Migraine and Headache Medications

Just how common is female sexual dysfunction? It’s a complicated question. Although it’s extremely common for women to report some kind of problem sometime, it’s a whole different question when you start asking about actual dysfunction and what that is.

Man and Woman But statistics aside, the problem is real, and in many cases it could be caused by your migraine or headache medication.

Migraine patients, and patients with various headache conditions, often have many symptoms to think about. And, of course, there can be many causes of sexual problems. It’s hard to know what to mention to your doctor, and with sexual activity that may be new or not regular, sexual dysfunction from medication may not be something easily recognized.

Medications can especially interfere with both desire and pleasure during sex. Common culprits include:

Antidepressants: Antidepressants are often prescribed for migraine prevention, even when the patient is not depressed. Common examples of these medications are amitriptyline (Elavil, Entrip, Triptaz, etc), nortriptyline (Pamelor, Allegron, etc), desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane, etc), doxepin (Sinequan, Sinepin, etc).
Beta-blockers: Another migraine preventative, beta blockers can cause problems with desire and orgasm, as well as vaginal dryness. Examples include propranolol (Inderal) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL).
Calcium channel blockers: As with beta-blockers. Common examples are verapamil (Calaptin, Veramil etc) and nimodipine (Nymalize, Nimotop)
Anticonvulsants: Another migraine preventative. Anti epileptic drugs are commonly prescribed for migraine, and some may be worse than others when it comes to sexual dysfunction. Examples include valproate, topiramate, and divalproex sodium.

Although these are some common categories, there are a number of other drugs that may affect sexual function.

It’s worthwhile noting that many of these drugs will also cause problems for men, though often for different reasons.

If you’re concerned, talk to your doctor. There may be another similar medication that will control your migraine attacks but won’t interfere with sex.

23 August 2012

New Studies Connect Migraine and Restless Legs Syndrome

James Discoveries & Stats, Medications 10

The link between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and migraine is not new, but recent studies are confirming and broadening our knowledge of the connection.

In restless legs syndrome, your legs will feel very uncomfortable, making you feel like you should move them. Getting up and moving around can help temporarily.

RLS can steal your sleep, and make life very difficult in situations where you need to be still for periods of time (such as during travel).

RLS has been linked to various other conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease. And, of course, migraine.

A study out of Austria last month researched 111 children and adolescents with migraine. They found that migraine patients were much more likely to have RLS than non-migraineurs.

Earlier this year, a study was published in the USA regarding the link between migraine and RLS in women. Once again, women with migraine had an increased risk.

Earlier studies have also suggested that migraineurs with RLS had poor sleep (not surprising) and worse symptoms with more disability. Which causes which is unknown, although research is being done into how the two are linked biologically.

Interestingly enough, RLS may also be caused/triggered by use of certain medications, such as meds including caffeine and calcium channel blockers. It could be that some of the incidences of RLS in migraineurs are related to taking these medications.

Often RLS symptoms will resolve when the underlying disease, such as migraine, an iron deficiency, or diabetes, is treated. However, some other common treatments include: Stretching exercises, massage, warm baths, and certain medications.

As with any comorbid disorder, be sure to let your doctor know that you have these symptoms. It will help them provide better treatment.

Recent studies:

19 January 2011

Calcium Channel Blockers and Antibiotics – Dangerous Combination

James Discoveries & Stats, Medications, News 1

Researchers at the Sunnybrook Research Institute in Toronto, Canada, warn that taking calcium channel blockers (calcium antagonists) along with certain antibiotics could lower blood pressure, and be dangerous to high risk patients.

It’s always wise to keep up with the latest research on drug combinations, since patients seem to be taking more and more medications together. This recent research could impact migraine and cluster headache patients, who often take calcium channel blockers (CCBs) as preventatives.

CCBs that are commonly taken for migraine or cluster include diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor and Taztia), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia, Nifediac and Nifedical), nimodipine (Nimotop) and verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Covera-HS and Isoptin).

Now CCBs are actually prescribed in order to lower blood pressure. So we’re already aware that this can happen. The concern, however, is that taking the CCB along with certain antibiotics could actually increase the effect to dangerous levels.

The antibiotics we’re talking about are macrolide antibiotics. These antibiotics include erythromycin, clarithromycin, spiramycin, josamycin and azithromycin, and they’re very widely used, with millions of prescriptions being written each month.

The research involved elderly patients only, the ones who would be at the highest risk. Using public health records, the researchers discovered that patients on CCBs who had received the antibiotic erythromycin were six times as likely to be hospitalized for hypotension.

Would the same hold true for younger patients? Likely there will be a drop in blood pressure, though younger patients would be at a lower risk overall. The important thing to remember is that you need to let your doctor know what medications you’re taking. It’s easy to get a quick antibiotic when you’re feeling terrible, not thinking about other conditions that don’t seem to be related.

Being simply a survey of public health records focused on a certain group, more research needs to be done to understand the impact on migraine and cluster headache patients of various ages. In the mean time, this is another reminder that your doctor needs to know if you’re at high risk for other condition, and she needs to know what medications you’re taking.

28 September 2009

What is Verapamil?

James Medications 5

Today we’re going to look at a medication known as verapamil, a calcium channel blocker which is used for both migraine and cluster headache. We’re not going to go into every detail about function and dosage, but we are going to address some important issues that people with migraine and cluster need to know.

What is Verapamil?

Verapamil is a type of medication known as a calcium channel blocker. It comes under many brand names, such as Calan, Covera-HS and Isoptin. Because of the calcium blocking function, blood vessels are dilated, reducing blood pressure and the amount of oxygen your heart uses. It also reduces the risk of spasm in blood vessels. As you may guess, verapamil is commonly used to treat issues like high blood pressure and some other heart and circulatory related problems.

There are many types of calcium channel blockers used in the treatment of migraine. Verapamil is just one type. Verapamil is used as a preventative medication.

Common misconceptions

Many people are concerned about what calcium is being blocked by verapamil. This is calcium in the heart and smooth muscles. It has no impact on blood calcium or the calcium in your bones. So you don’t need to supplement your calcium specifically because you’re taking this medication. (In fact, taking calcium could interfere with verapamil – talk to your doctor)

Another concern people have is that verapamil will lower their blood pressure too low if they don’t already have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is already normal or low, you usually don’t have to worry. However, do make sure your doctor is aware of your medical history, and if you start feeling very lightheaded when you stand up, that could be a sign that you should have your blood pressure checked.

Who takes Verapamil?

Verapamil actually has become an increasingly common medication for migraine of all classes. However, there are some conditions it’s more likely to be used:

Cluster Headache (both chronic and episodic)
Hemiplegic Migraine, including both sporadic hemiplegic migraine and familial hemiplegic migraine
Migraineurs who already have high blood pressure
Migraineurs who can’t take beta blockers (ie because of asthma)
Menstrual Migraine
Migraine induced by orgasm or exercise
Types of migraine with prolonged aura

Verapamil has also been used successfully to treat children and adolescents with migraine.

Side effects

Verapamil is a favourite in the class of calcium channel blockers, partly because it’s less likely to cause side effects. However, as with any medication, some people do experience some. Most commonly:

Constipation
Swelling of the feet, ankles or legs
Slowing of the heart rate
Tiredness or heaviness
Light headedness (see above)

There are others, though these tend to be the most common – please talk to your doctor if you notice any side effects.

Summary

Though certainly not for everyone, verapamil continues to help some people with migraine and cluster as a preventative medication after many years of use.