Verapamil is a prescription medication available under the brand name Verelan and as a generic drug.
Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker that is FDA-approved to treat hypertension (high blood pressure.
)It may cause side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and constipation.
Terry Vine / Getty Images
This in turn improves blood flow, lowering blood pressure.
Migraine headaches are because of abnormal brain activity, which affects blood flow in the brain and surrounding tissues.
Is It Effective?
Side Effects
Verapamil may cause adverse effects.
The fruit may increase the level of the drug in the bloodstream, leading to severe side effects.
Contraindications
Verapamil is not a safe option for some people.
Summary
Verapamil is a blood pressure-lowering drug that is sometimes prescribed off-label for migraine prevention.
It’s also important to be aware of the potential side effects of the medication.
Verapamil is associated with constipation, nausea, heartburn, and fatigue.
McKeever RG, Patel P, Hamilton RJ.Calcium Channel Blockers.
[Updated 2024 Feb 22].
In: StatPearls [Internet].
2012;78(17):1337-45.
[Reaffirmed on October 22, 2022.]
20doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182535d20
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.Off-Label Drugs: What it’s crucial that you Know.
Fahie S, Cassagnol M.Verapamil.
[Updated 2023 Feb 6].
In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Kumar A, Kadian R.Migraine Prophylaxis.
[Updated 2023 Aug 28].
In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-.
National Library of Medicine.
Journal of Hypertension 41(Suppl 1):p e259, January 2023.
| DOI: 10.1097/01.hjh.0000915372.75303.fc
National Institutes of Health DailyMed.Label: Verapamil hydrochloride capsule, extended release.
American Migraine Foundation.Preventive treatments.
Pringsheim T, Davenport WJ, Becker WJ.Prophylaxis of migraine headache.CMAJ.
2010;182(7):E269-76.
