Diltiazem: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What medicine is Diltiazem?

What is Diltiazem for?

Diltiazem is a drug used to treat high blood pressure and prevent chest pain (angina). Lowering high blood pressure can help prevent strokes, prevent heart attacks, and complications of kidney problems. When used regularly, this medication can decrease the amount and severity of angina chest pain. This condition can help improve your ability to exercise.

Diltiazem is a medicine called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in the body and heart so that blood can flow more easily. Diltiazem also lowers your heart rate.

Diltiazem is a drug that can also be used to control your heart rate if you have an irregular fast heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation).

Diltiazem dosage

How do I use Diltiazem?

Diltiazem is a medication that is taken with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush or chew the capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once and can increase the risk of side effects.

If you have difficulty swallowing the capsules, you can open the capsules and carefully sprinkle the contents on a spoon to gently cool the applesauce before you use this medicine. Swallow all of the medicinal and food mixture immediately. Don't chew the mixture. Then rinse your mouth by swallowing the rinse liquid to make sure that you have swallowed all the medicine. Do not prepare a dose in advance.

Your doctor can gradually increase your dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this remedy regularly to get the most benefit. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you are already feeling well. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick. For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take 2-4 weeks before you get the full benefit of this medicine.

Diltiazem is a medication that must be taken regularly to prevent angina. This medicine should not be used to treat angina when angina occurs. Use another medication (such as nitroglycerin placed under the tongue) to relieve angina attacks as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for further details.

Tell your doctor if your condition worsens (for example, your chest pain gets worse or your blood pressure rises regularly).

How do I save Diltiazem?

Diltiazem is a drug that must be stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Diltiazem side effects

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Diltiazem for adults?

The usual adult dose of the drug diltiazem is:

• Initial dose: 30 to 60 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.
• Maintenance dose: 180-360 mg orally / day in divided doses.
• SR starting dose: 60 to 120 mg orally twice a day.
• SR maintenance dose: 240-360 mg orally / day.
• CD or XR starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• Maintenance dose CD: 240-360 mg orally once a day.
• Maintenance dose XR: 240-480w mg orally once a day.
• LA starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• LA maintenance dose: 240-420 mg orally once a day.

The dose of diltiazem drug infusion is:

• Initial dose: 0.25 mg / kg as large given for 2 minutes. A second bolus of 0.35 mg / kg can be used if needed.
• Initial infusion dose: 5 mg / day
• Maintenance infusion dose: The infusion rate can be increased by 5 mg / day increments to 15 mg / day.

Usual Adult Dose for Atrial Fibrillation

Initial dose (oral): 30 to 60 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day

• Maintenance dose: 180-360 mg orally / day in divided doses.
• SR starting dose: 60 to 120 mg orally twice a day
• SR maintenance dose: 240-360 mg orally / day.
• CD or XR starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• Maintenance dose CD: 240-360 mg orally once a day.
• LA starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• LA maintenance dose: 240-420 mg orally once a day.

Adult Dose for Prophylactic Angina Pectoris:

• Initial dose: 30 to 60 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day
• Maintenance dose: 180-360 mg orally / day in divided doses.
• SR starting dose: 60 to 120 mg orally twice a day
• SR maintenance dose: 240-360 mg orally / day.
• CD or XR starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• Maintenance dose CD: 240-360 mg orally once a day.
• LA starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• LA maintenance dose: 240-360 mg orally once a day.
• Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure
• Initial dose: 30 to 60 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day
• Maintenance dose: 180-360 mg orally / day in divided doses.
• SR starting dose: 60 to 120 mg orally twice a day
• SR maintenance dose: 240-360 mg orally / day.
• CD or XR starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• Maintenance dose CD: 240-360 mg orally once a day.
• LA starting dose: 120-240 mg orally once a day.
• LA maintenance dose: 240-360 mg orally once a day.

What is the dosage of Diltiazem for children?

Diltiazem is a drug whose dosage and safety have not been determined for the age of children. Consult your doctor before taking this drug.

In what dosage is Diltiazem available?

Diltiazem is a drug that is available in an oral capsule (12 hours) with a dosage:

Generic: 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg

Diltiazem is a drug that is available in an oral capsule (12 hours) with a dosage:

• Cardizem CD: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg
• Cartia XT: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg
• Dilacor XR: 240 mg
• Dilt-CD: 120 mg
• Dilt-CD: 180 mg, 240 mg
• Dilt-CD: 300 mg
• Dilt-XR: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg
• Diltiazem HCL CD: 360 mg
• Diltiazem: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg
• Taztia XT: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg
• Thiazac: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg, 420 mg
• Generic: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg, 420 mg

Diltiazem is a drug that is available as a solution for intravenous fluids with doses:

• Generic: 25 mg / 5 mL (5 mL); 50 mg / 10 ml (10 ml), 125 mg / 25 mL (25 mL)
• Solution, intravenously, as hydrochloride:
• Generic: 25 mg / 5 mL (5 mL); 50 mg / 10 ml (10 ml), 125 mg / 25 mL (25 mL)
• Solution, intravenously, as hydrochloride:
• Generic: 100 mg

Diltiazem is a drug that is available as an oral tablet (12 hours) with a dosage:

• Cardizem: 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg
• Generic: 30 mg, 60 mg, 90 mg, 120 mg
• 24-Hour Large Size Tablets, Oral, as hydrochloride:
• Cardizem LA: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg, 420 mg
• Matzim LA: 120 mg, 180 mg, 240 mg, 300 mg, 360 mg, 420 mg

Diltiazem Drug Warnings and Cautions

What side effects can be experienced due to Diltiazem?

Diltiazem is a drug that can cause side effects. Common side effects include dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, redness, and headaches.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• red skin, rash, blisters;
• swelling in the hands or feet;
• Difficulty breathing
• Slow heart rate
• Dizziness, fainting, heartbeat; fast or pounding
• Upper abdominal pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• Severe skin reactions - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple rash that spreads (especially on the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• Headache
• Dizziness, weakness, tired feeling
• Stomach ache, nausea
• Sore throat, cough, stuffy nose
• Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling).

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Diltiazem Drug Interactions

What should be known before using Diltiazem?

Some things you should know before using diltiazem are:

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Diltiazem, any other medications, beef products, pork products, or any of the ingredients in injectable Diltiazem. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist about the prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following: atazanavir (Reyataz); benzodiazepines such as midazolam (Ayat) and triazolam
• Your doctor may always change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects. Many other medicines can also interact with Diltiazem, so be sure to tell your doctor about all drugs you use, even those that do not appear on this list.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a myocardial infarction (MI); narrowing or blockage of your digestive system or other conditions that cause food to move through your digestive system over
• slow; 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 using Diltiazem, call your doctor.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist while using Diltiazem.

Is Diltiazem safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the Food and Drug Administration in the United States.

Following are references to pregnancy risk categories according to the Food and Drug Administration in America:

• A = No risk,
• B = not at risk in several studies,
• C = May be risky,
• D = There is positive evidence of risk,
• X = Contraindicated,
• N = Unknown

Studies in women show that this drug poses minimal risk to the baby when used during breastfeeding.

Diltiazem overdose

What medicines may interact with Diltiazem?

Diltiazem is a drug that can cause reactions to other drugs. Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription or non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs. When you are taking this medicine it is important for your doctor to know that you are currently taking any of the medicines that are listed below. The following interactions were chosen because they are based on their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

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

• Cisapride
• Colchicine
• Lomitapide

Can food or alcohol interact with Diltiazem?

Diltiazem is a drug that can react if you eat or drink alcohol. Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Diltiazem?

Diltiazem is a drug that can react to certain health conditions. The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this medicine. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• intestinal blockage, severe or
• congenital heart failure - Use with caution. Can make this condition worse.
• heart attack or
• heart block (a type of abnormal heart rhythm, may be used if you have a pacemaker that is working properly) or
• hypotension (low blood pressure), severe or
• lung problems (for example, pulmonary congestion) or
• sinus disease syndrome (a type of abnormal heart rhythm, can be used if a pacemaker is working properly) should not be used in patients with this condition.
• kidney disease or
• liver disease - Use with caution. The effect of these drugs can be increased due to the slow clearance of the drug from the body

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• • Irregular, slow, fast heartbeat
  • Fainting
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
  • Dizzy
  • Confusion
  • Nausea
  • Gag
  • sweating easily

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.