I took Verapamil to "make my heart work less intensely" for many years with no side effects. When my HOCM reached the point where surgery was necessary, my dosage was increased (do not remember how much). At that point, eating unsalted nuts, drinking plenty of water and drinking Metamucil did not begin to help the one side effect I experienced. That side effect disappeared after surgery, and I have been taking Metoprolol 50 mg SUCC once a day ever since.