Diltiazem is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.
Diltiazem is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders.
Diltiazem may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
How should I take Cardizem (Diltiazem)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
Take diltiazem with a full glass of water.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open a controlled-delivery or extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
If you have trouble swallowing a diltiazem capsule whole, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.
It is important to use diltiazem regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking diltiazem suddenly, your condition may become worse.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Diltiazem may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store diltiazem at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What are the possible side effects of Cardizem (Diltiazem)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- fast or slow heartbeats
- feeling light-headed, fainting
- fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
- swelling, rapid weight gain; or
- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:
- stuffy nose
- skin rash or itching
- dizziness, headache, tired feeling
- nausea; or
- warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs affect Cardizem (Diltiazem)?
Before taking diltiazem, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
- cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB)
- cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
- dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol)
- digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
- lovastatin (Mevacor)
- midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion)
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater) or rifabutin (Mycobutin)
- St. John’s wort
- antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin), metronidazole (Flagyl, Protostat), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral)
- antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft)
- HIV /AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase)
- seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or
- a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use diltiazem, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect diltiazem. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I overdose on Cardizem (Diltiazem)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a diltiazem overdose may include slow heartbeat, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What happens if I miss a dose of Cardizem (Diltiazem)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What is the most important information I should know about Cardizem (Diltiazem)?
Do not use this medication if you have certain heart conditions such as “sick sinus syndrome” or “AV block” (unless you have a pacemaker), low blood pressure, or if you have recently had a heart attack.
Before taking diltiazem, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or congestive heart failure.
Diltiazem can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking diltiazem suddenly, your condition may become worse.
Diltiazem may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
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