Posted by Thomas/Munich (217.228.234.91) on November 29, 2001 at 06:59:09:
In Reply to: WHAT do you posted by joketDam on November 28, 2001 at 12:37:49:
Hi Joke,I gradually get crazy reading again and again that fellow docs prescribe/recommend to take verapamil + beta blockers together - IT'S S T R I C T L YFORBIDDEN ! Both drugs taken alone are usually very well tolerated and pretty harmless as long as you consider the possible cotraidications for every patient, it means that in this case their possible side effects are well predictable within certain limits. But: As soon as you take them together their additional effects may be disastrous for the beat impulse conduction within the heart and then you can get a lethal cardiac arrest in the worst case - and this risk can't be calculated in advance ! So I have to emphasize: Docs of different disciplines treating the same patient have to contact each other and discuss the needed medication for the respective desease. And: Also a neurologist prescribing verapamil has to know which other drugs may be combined with it or not, and your dear neurologist apparently doesn't know the above mentioned contraindications...On the other hand your cardiologist doesn't know that calcium channel blockers of the so called "nifedipin type"(Norvasc = amlodipine = a calcium channel blocker of the nifedipine type) usually don't help for CH, they even may trigger a CH attack.My urgent advice: Compel both your docs to discussyour needed medication by phone before you take any medication one of them doesn't know you got it from the other one ! P.S. Feel free to e-mail me if needed.ATB ! Thomas, MD