Verapamil and Constipation: What Users Say

• Bay...
• December 30, 2008

Verapamil for High Blood Pressure "I have had excellent results with this medication and only minor side effects (occasional constipation). I am a long-time calcium channel blocker user, and so far it has been an excellent prescription."

• gwe...
• October 22, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "Verapamil ER 180 mg gave me tightness in chest, flu syndrome, cough, stomach pain, low-grade fever, and a general feeling of being unwell. Also tiredness, headache, and constipation. I took it for one week and discontinued due to these bad side effects. Unfortunately, this medicine is not for me. Further, it did not lower my hypertension at all."

• lor...
• May 20, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "Verapamil 80 mg 2 times a day lowered my blood pressure significantly. The side effects are occasional constipation, itchy rashes, little shortness of breath, and mild fatigue. Drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day helps. I like this better than atenolol, which lowered my heartbeat and blood pressure to 100/49, and hydrochlorothiazide, which caused dehydration, tingling, rashes, feeling very cold, and fatigue."

• Mon...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2019

For Arrhythmia "Been on Verapamil for about 3 weeks. BP in good control and my ankles do not swell as much as the previous medication. I have been having abdominal pain since I started the medication. My GP says it is due to constipation. I have never been constipated before. Hope this resolves in the next few weeks. I am going to try prunes."

• eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2018

For Migraine Prevention "Works very well so far. So much better, with fewer side effects, does not cause the sedation and grogginess like amitriptyline. However, I am experiencing the side effect of constipation, which was easily remedied with 1 tsp of coconut oil in the morning added to my hot beverage. I am hopeful that this drug continues to work for me. I started on 140 mg. I did have migraines during the first week, but since then, I haven't had one for 3 weeks, which is life-changing for me."

• Bri...
• June 24, 2013

For Arrhythmia "On 180 mg slow-release Verapamil for idiopathic left ventricular fascicular tachycardia. No episodes for 18 months. Side effects - the occasional feeling of 'heart pounding' during physical work and a little constipation. So far, very effective for my unusual heart condition."

• Anonymous
• February 26, 2009

Verapamil for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I used verapamil for 5 years to treat supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). With each visit to the doctor, they increased my dosage. I started out taking 30 mg once a day and ended with 180 mg once a day. For the most part, my symptoms were never controlled. The drug caused extreme fatigue and tiredness. I often had severe headaches and was constipated. I have been switched to atenolol 50 mg once a day now. Hopefully, I won't have as many unwanted side effects."

• Don...
• January 13, 2014

For Cluster Headaches "This medicine is very effective. It did stop my cluster headaches the day after initially taken. However, the side effects (unusual weight gain, sinus pain, constipation, bloating, shortness of breath) have outweighed the benefits. Going to the Dr. tomorrow for alternative therapy."

• tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2012

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "Supraventricular tachycardia began 4/2012. Initial prescribed amount 240 mg (80 mg) 3 x a day reduced for travel purposes to 1180 mg per day. Prescribed with Flecainide (50 mg 2 x a day). Some constipation, some melancholia, and anxiety. Overall satisfaction okay."

• gre...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 3, 2024

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I took Verapamil for several years. My difficulty with it was benefits vs. side effects. At 240 mg, it controlled my tachycardia completely. It also gave me side effects I couldn't live with. Terrible constipation, out of control runny nose, insomnia, and severe edema in feet, calves, thighs, and hands. I had to lower the dose to 180 mg/day, and this made the side effects bad but livable. However, my tachycardia was poorly regulated at that dose."

• Chu...
• August 30, 2017

For Cluster Headaches "I had regular clusters every August throughout my 20s and 30s. They went away when I had sinus surgery at age 40. Then they restarted in early May this year, at the age of 63. Verapamil 240 milligram has been completely effective in stopping them. (Unfortunately, they may have turned chronic -- whenever I experimentally quit the verapamil, they resume.) I have one major side effect: a daily two- or three-hour bout of diarrhea. Imodium and similar meds leave me with a painful case of constipation followed by...diarrhea. I have adopted a low-mass, low-irritant diet, and this mitigates it somewhat, but it does not solve it. My doc has directed me to try a lower dose (120 mg) in the hope that this will mitigate this side effect."

• But...
• February 15, 2009

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I am having severe constipation after I started taking this drug."