Diltiazem

Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker. 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.

Introduction

Generic name: Diltiazem

Brand names: Cardizem (and Cardizem CD, LA and XR), Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Dilt-CD, etc

Drug classes: Calcium channel blocking agents, Group IV antiarrhythmics

Uses

Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Treatment of Angina (heart-related chest pain)

Treatment of Arrhythmia

Benefits

In Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Dilzem 30 Tablet CR works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body. This lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of having a stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems in the future. It must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. You do not usually feel any direct benefit from taking this medicine, but it works in the long term to keep you well. Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor’s advice, even if you feel well.

In Treatment of Angina (heart-related chest pain)

Dilzem 30 Tablet CR helps treat heart-related chest pain (angina attack) as well as prevent it from happening in the future. However, it should not be used for acute attacks of angina. It works by relaxing and widening blood vessels in the heart. This makes it easier for blood to flow to the heart, so it gets more oxygen. This medicine thus helps to increase your ability to exercise and go about your daily life more easily and confidently. It should be taken regularly to be effective. Do not stop taking it without your doctor’s advice, even if you feel well.

In Treatment of Arrhythmia

Dilzem 30 Tablet CR may also be used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias). It may help stop an abnormal rhythm while it is happening or prevent its occurrence in the first place.

Directions for use

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Dilzem 30 Tablet CR may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How it works?

Dilzem 30 Tablet CR is used to treat angina (heart-related chest pain), high blood pressure, and some types of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia). It is known as a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels to lower blood pressure. This helps to reduce the workload of the heart.

Side effects

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • Slow heartbeats

  • Pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest

  • A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out

  • Shortness of breath (even with mild activity), swelling, rapid weight gain

  • Nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

  • Severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common diltiazem side effects may include:

  • Swelling

  • Dizziness, weakness

  • Headache

  • Nausea

  • Rash.

Warnings

  • You should not use diltiazem if you have very low blood pressure, a serious heart condition such as sick sinus syndrome or second- or third-degree AV block (unless you have a pacemaker), or if you have recently had a heart attack and you have a build-up of fluid in your lungs.

  • Before taking diltiazem, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or congestive heart failure.

  • Diltiazem may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be 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 medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. However, if you have symptoms of low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting, weakness, or blurred vision), call your doctor and stop taking diltiazem).

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