What is diltiazem?
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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diltiazem?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to diltiazem, or if you have:
-
certain heart conditions, especially "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:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Diltiazem can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take 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 happens if I miss a dose of 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.
Where can I get more information about diltiazem?
Your pharmacist has information about diltiazem written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of 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 include:
-
stuffy nose;
-
skin rash or itching;
-
dizziness, headache, tired feeling;
-
nausea; or
-
warmth, itching, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about 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.
What should I avoid while taking diltiazem?
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.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking diltiazem.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with diltiazem and lead to potentially dangerous
effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the
amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect diltiazem?
Before taking diltiazem, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone);
-
buspirone (BuSpar);
-
carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol);
-
cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
-
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune);
-
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
-
lovastatin (Mevacor);
-
rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);
-
quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release);
-
a sedative such as midazolam (Versed) or triazolam
(Halcion);
-
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin
(E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), or telithromycin (Ketek);
-
an antifungal medication such as fluconazole (Diflucan),
itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);
-
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol
(Zebeta, Ziac), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol
(Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others; or
-
HIV/AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase),
atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan),
nelfinavir (Viracept), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
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 have an overdose of diltiazem?
