Read Article Directory North Carolina: diltiazem

dil-TYE-a-zem

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

Cardizem

Cardizem CD

Cardizem LA

Cartia XT

Dilacor XR

Dilt-CD

Diltia XT

Dilt-XR

Diltzac

Matzim LA

Taztia XT

Tiazac

Available Dosage Forms:

Capsule, Extended Release

Tablet, Extended Release

Tablet

Capsule, Extended Release, 24 HR

Capsule, Extended Release, 12 HR

Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Calcium Channel Blocker

Chemical Class: Benzothiazepine

Uses For diltiazem

Diltiazem is used alone or together with other medicines to treat severe chest pain (angina) or high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled .

Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker. It works by affecting the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, diltiazem relaxes blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload .

diltiazem is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using diltiazem

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For diltiazem, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to diltiazem or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of diltiazem in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of diltiazem in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving diltiazem .

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking diltiazem, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using diltiazem with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

Cisapride

Using diltiazem with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Acebutolol

Alprenolol

Amiodarone

Aprepitant

Atazanavir

Atenolol

Atorvastatin

Betaxolol

Bevantolol

Bisoprolol

Bucindolol

Carteolol

Carvedilol

Celiprolol

Clonidine

Clozapine

Colchicine

Crizotinib

Dantrolene

Dilevalol

Dronedarone

Droperidol

Erythromycin

Esmolol

Everolimus

Fentanyl

Labetalol

Levobunolol

Lurasidone

Mepindolol

Metipranolol

Metoprolol

Nadolol

Nebivolol

Oxprenolol

Penbutolol

Pindolol

Propranolol

Ranolazine

Simvastatin

Sotalol

Talinolol

Tertatolol

Timolol

Tolvaptan

Using diltiazem with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Alfentanil

Alfuzosin

Amlodipine

Aspirin

Buspirone

Carbamazepine

Celecoxib

Cilostazol

Cimetidine

Clopidogrel

Colestipol

Cyclosporine

Dalfopristin

Digitoxin

Digoxin

Dutasteride

Efavirenz

Enflurane

Fosaprepitant

Fosphenytoin

Guggul

Indinavir

Lithium

Lovastatin

Methylprednisolone

Midazolam

Moricizine

Nevirapine

Nifedipine

Phenytoin

Quinupristin

Rifampin

Rifapentine

Ritonavir

Sirolimus

St John's Wort

Tacrolimus

Triazolam

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Proper Use of diltiazem

In addition to the use of diltiazem, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet .

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well .

Remember that diltiazem will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease .

Swallow the extended-release tablet or extended-release capsule whole. Do not open, crush, or chew it. It is best to take the extended-release capsule on an empty stomach .

Dosing

The dose of diltiazem will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of diltiazem. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For chest pain:
- For oral dosage form (tablets):
  - Adults—At first, 30 milligrams (mg) four times a day before meals and at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
  - Adults—At first, 180 mg once a day either in the evening or in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
  - Adults—At first, 120 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

For high blood pressure:
- For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets):
  - Adults—At first, 180 to 240 milligrams (mg) once a day either in the morning or at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
  - Adults—At first, 180 to 240 mg once a day in the morning. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of diltiazem, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using diltiazem

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure diltiazem is working properly and to check for unwanted effects .

Low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur while taking diltiazem. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: blurred vision; confusion; severe dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly; sweating; or unusual tiredness or weakness .

Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem .

Serious skin reactions can occur with diltiazem. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking diltiazem: blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin; chills; cough; diarrhea; itching; joint or muscle pain; red skin lesions, often with a purple center; skin rash; sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips; or unusual tiredness or weakness .

diltiazem Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Body aches or pain

congestion

cough

dryness or soreness of throat

fever

hoarseness

runny nose

tender or swollen glands in neck

trouble in swallowing

voice changes

Less common

Chest pain or discomfort

chills

diarrhea

difficult or labored breathing

feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded

feeling of warmth or heat

flushing or redness of skin, especially on face and neck

general feeling of discomfort or illness

headache

joint pain

loss of appetite

muscle aches and pains

nausea

shivering

shortness of breath

slow or irregular heartbeat

sore throat

sweating

swelling of hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs

tightness in chest

trouble sleeping

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

wheezing

Incidence not known

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin

itching

large, hive-like swelling on face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

no heart beat

red irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Sneezing

stuffy nose

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

constipation

continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears

degenerative disease of the joint

difficulty in moving

hearing loss

heartburn

indigestion

lack or loss of strength

muscle aching or cramping

muscle pains or stiffness

pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones

rash

sleeplessness

stomach discomfort, upset, or pain

swollen joints

unable to sleep

Incidence not known

Hair loss or thinning of hair

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: diltiazem side effects (in more detail)

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More diltiazem resources

Diltiazem Side Effects (in more detail)
Diltiazem Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Drug Images
Diltiazem Drug Interactions
Diltiazem Support Group
31 Reviews for Diltiazem - Add your own review/rating

Diltiazem MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Diltiazem Prescribing Information (FDA)

Cardizem Prescribing Information (FDA)

Cardizem Consumer Overview

Cardizem CD Prescribing Information (FDA)

Cardizem CD 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Cardizem LA Prescribing Information (FDA)

Cardizem LA 24-Hour Extended-Release Beads Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Cartia XT Prescribing Information (FDA)

DILT-CD Prescribing Information (FDA)

Dilacor XR 24-Hour Sustained-Release Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Dilacor XR Prescribing Information (FDA)

Dilt-XR Prescribing Information (FDA)

Diltia XT Prescribing Information (FDA)

Diltiazem Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)

Matzim LA Prescribing Information (FDA)

Taztia XT Prescribing Information (FDA)

Taztia XT 24-Hour Extended-Release Beads Capsules MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Tiazac Prescribing Information (FDA)

Tiazac Consumer Overview

Compare diltiazem with other medications

Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Flutter
Heart Failure
High Blood Pressure
Raynaud's Syndrome
Supraventricular Tachycardia

Read Article Directory North Carolina

Friday 24 June 2011

diltiazem