Diltiazem

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (dil tye' a zem)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Diltiazem is used to treat high blood pressure and to control angina (chest pain). Diltiazem is in a class of medications called calcium-channel blockers. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

High blood pressure is a common condition, and when not treated it can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.


How should this medicine be used?

Diltiazem comes as a tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken three or four times a day. The extended-release capsule and tablet are usually taken one or two times a day. Ask your pharmacist if you should take diltiazem with or without food, because instructions may vary with each product. Take diltiazem at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take diltiazem exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release capsules and tablets whole; do not chew or crush them.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of diltiazem and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every 7 to 14 days if you are taking the extended-release tablet or capsule and not more than once every 1 to 2 days if you are taking the regular tablet.

If taken regularly, diltiazem may control chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may give you a different medication to take when you have chest pain.

Diltiazem controls high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them. It may take up to 2 weeks before you feel the full benefit of diltiazem. Continue to take diltiazem even if you feel well. Do not stop taking diltiazem without talking to your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking diltiazem,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diltiazem, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in diltiazem. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: atazanavir (Reyataz); benzodiazepines such as midazolam (Versed) and triazolam (Halcion); beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), labetalol, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, in Dutoprol), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), and propranolol (Inderal, Innopran, in Inderide); buspirone; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); digoxin (Lanoxin); lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor, in Advicor); quinidine (in Nuedexta); and rifampin (Rifadin, in Rifamate, in Rifater, Rimactane). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medications may also interact with diltiazem, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a myocardial infarction (MI); a narrowing or blockage of your digestive system or any other condition that causes food to move through your digestive system more slowly; low blood pressure; or heart, liver, or kidney disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking diltiazem, call your doctor.
  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking diltiazem.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Diltiazem may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • flushing
  • headache
  • weakness
  • slow heartbeat
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • nasal congestion
  • cough
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
  • swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing
  • fainting
  • rash
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • nausea
  • extreme tiredness
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • lack of energy
  • loss of appetite
  • pain in the upper right part of the stomach
  • flu-like symptoms
  • increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Muscle Relaxants
  • Benzothiazepine Derivatives
  • Selective Calcium Channel Blockers With Direct Cardiac Effects
  • Calcium Channel Blockers
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Agents for Treatment of Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures for Topical Use
  • Vasoprotectives
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 I
Prescribed For the treatment of Hypertension
Weight :414.518
Structure Diltiazem
Generic Drug Diltiazem prescribed For the treatment of Hypertension
Formula

C22H26N2O4S

Diltiazem has 153 Brands listed


Angizem (30 mg)Angizem (60 mg)
Angizem CD (120 mg)Angizem CD (180 mg)
Angizem CD (90 mg)Angizem DP (120 mg)
Angizem DP (90 mg)Cardem (30 mg)
Cardem (60 mg)Cardiorex (30 mg)
Cardiorex (60 mg)Cardisec (120 mg)
Cardisec (180 mg)Cardisec (30 mg)
Cardisec (60 mg)Cardisec (90 mg)
Channel (30 mg)Channel (60 mg)
Channel SR (120 mg)Channel SR (90 mg)
Coriem XL (120 mg)Coriem XL (180 mg)
Coriem XL (240 mg)Dicard (30 mg)
Dicard (60 mg)Dicard SR (90 mg)
Dil Time (30 mg)Dil Time (60 mg)
Dil Time SR (120 mg)Dil Time SR (90 mg)
Dilam (30 mg)Dilcal (30 mg)
Dilcal (60 mg)Dilcal SR (90 mg)
Dilcardia (30 mg)Dilcardia (60 mg)
Dilcardia SR (90 mg)Dilchem (30 mg)
Dilchem (60 mg)Dilcontin (60 mg)
Dilcontin XL (120 mg)Dilcontin XL (180 mg)
Dilcontin XL (90 mg)Dilcor (30 mg)
Dilgard (30 mg)Dilgard (60 mg)
Dilgard XL (120 mg)Dilgard XL (180 mg)
Dilgard XL (90 mg)Dilgina (30 mg)
Dili (30 mg)Dili (60 mg)
Diliticard (60 mg)Dilitkard SR (90 mg)
Dilocor (30 mg)Dilocor (60 mg)
Dilocor XR (120 mg)Dilocor XR (90 mg)
Dilsafe (30 mg)Dilt (30 mg)
Dilt (30 mg) (Redson Pharma)Dilt (60 mg)
Diltara FC (30 mg)Dilter CD (120 mg)
Dilter CD (120 mg) (Natco)Dilter CD (60 mg)
Dilter CD (90 mg)Dilter CD (90 mg) (Natco)
Diltiaz (30 mg)Diltiaz (60 mg)
Diltiaz XL (120 mg)Diltiaz XL (180 mg)
Diltiaz XL (180 mg) (Plethico)Diltiaz XL (90 mg)
Diltiaz XL (90 mg) (Plethico)Diltiazem (30 mg)
Dilticard (30 mg)Dilticard (60 mg)
Dilticard SR (90 mg)Diltime (30 mg)
Diltime (60 mg)Diltime SR (120 mg)
Diltime SR (90 mg)Diltip (30 mg)
Diltisyn (30 mg)Diltisyn (60 mg)
Diltp (30 mg)Diltp (60 mg)
Diltrit (60 mg)Dilzem (25 mg)
Dilzem (30 mg)Dilzem (60 mg)
Dilzem CD (120 mg)Dilzem CD (180 mg)
Dilzem CD (240 mg)Dilzem CD (90 mg)
Dilzem SR (90 mg)Dilzex (30 mg)
Dilzex (60 mg)Dilzor (120 mg)
Dilzor (30 mg)Dilzor (60 mg)
Dilzor (90 mg)DTM (30 mg)
DTM (60 mg)DTM SR (90 mg)
DZ (30 mg)DZ (60 mg)
DZ CD (90 mg)DZM (30 mg)
DZM (60 mg)Heartil CR (120 mg)
Heartil CR (90 mg)Icidil (120 mg)
Icidil CD (120 mg)Icidil CD (90 mg)
Icidil CD 90Ionozem (30 mg)
Ionozem (60 mg)Ionozem CD (90 mg)
Isdil (30 mg)Isdil (60 mg)
Iski (30 mg)Iski (60 mg)
Iski (90 mg)Iski SR (120 mg)
Kaizem CD (120 mg)Kaizem CD (180 mg)
Kaizem CD (30 mg)Kaizem CD (60 mg)
Kaizem CD (90 mg)Masdil (30 mg)
Masdil (60 mg)Masdil BD (120 mg)
Masdil BD (180 mg)Masdil BD (240 mg)
Masdil BD (90 mg)Masdil OD (90 mg)
Normozem (5 mg)Onzem (30 mg)
Onzem (60 mg)Onzem SR (120 mg)
Onzem SR (180 mg)Onzem SR (90 mg)
Orticard (30 mg)Orticard (60 mg)
Psydil (30 mg)Psydil (60 mg)
Psydil SR (90 mg)Q Dil (120 mg)
Q Dil (90 mg)Q Dil CD (120 mg)
Q Dil CD (90 mg)

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