Drug NameCardizem (Diltiazem) Drug UsesCardizem is used for the treatment and prevention of angina, resulting from coronary artery spasm, as well as from exertion. Cardizem is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure. By slowing electrical conduction in the heart, cardizem has been used in treating abnormally fast heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation. How to useCardizem may be taken with or without food. Since cardizem is excreted by the kidney and metabolized by the liver, dosages may need to be lowered in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction. Drug Class and MechanismCardizem belongs to a class of medications, called calcium channel blockers. These medications block the transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells, lining the coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. Since calcium is important in muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery muscles and dilates coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By relaxing coronary arteries, cardizem is useful in treating and preventing chest pain (angina) resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing the muscles lining the arteries of the rest of the body, lowers blood pressure, which reduces the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reducing heart burden lessens the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, and further helps to prevent angina in patients with coronary artery disease. Cardizem can decrease electrical conduction in the heart and slow heart rate. Missed DoseIf you miss a dose of Myambutol , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. Storage Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Possible Side EffectsThis drug may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days. Avoid activities, requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness. You may also experience bloating, heartburn, muscle cramps, headache, flushing, nasal congestion, sore throat, constipation or diarrhea. Inform your doctor if they become bothersome. Notify your doctor if you develop: breathing difficulties, swelling of the hands or feet, an irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects, not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. More InformationDo not share this product with others. Warnings/PrecautionsBefore taking this drug, tell your doctor if you have: heart problems, liver disease, lung disease, allergies. Limit intake of alcohol while taking this drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk. If there is no alternative to using this drug you should discontinue breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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 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 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?
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 happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include slow heartbeat, weakness, chest pain, shortness of breath, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
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.
Diltiazem side effects
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. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
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), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), telithromycin (Ketek), 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.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about diltiazem.
cardizem with clozaril, cardizem malaise fatigue, clozaril tachycardia cardizem, titrating cardizem weening, cardizem and alcohol, cardizem prothrombin time, generic cardizem cd, cardizem iv dosage, cardizem cd, cardizem la 240, who makes cardizem, cardizem effect libido, cardizem zetia, cardizem and liver, cardizem arterectomy, effects of cardizem, cardizem atrial fibrillation, cardizem cd generic, hcpcs for cardizem, women die cardizem, cardizem calculator, weaning cardizem drip, cardizem dose chart, cardizem po, cardizem la 180mg, cardizem concentration drip, cardizem weaning protocol, cardizem cr, subarachnoid and cardizem, cardizem cd home, cardizem drug, cardizem weight gain, cardizem injection price, cardizem patient information, cardizem la, cardizem la microcapsule, cardizem iv, cardizem biovail, cardizem tachycardia, cardizem la 180, zocor cardizem interaction, cardizem overdose, micardis and cardizem, ems cardizem, cardizem drug information, cardizem drugs, titrating cardizem, cardizem weening drip, cardizem arrthymia, a-fib cardizem la, cardizem sr 120mg, alcohol and cardizem, stop taking cardizem, cardizem precautions, cardizem tachacardia, cardizem cats, cardizem vs tarka, cardizem cd doseage, atrioventricular block cardizem, cardizem drip calculation, cardizem order pharmacy, cardizem refrigeration, cheapest cardizem la, stop cardizem, description of cardizem, buy cardizem, cardizem dosage, cardizem xt, versed and cardizem, cardizem generic, cardizem and lexapro, cardizem amiodarone, cardizem dogs, cardizem medication, cardizem refridgeration, cardizem low dose, cardizem la dosage, cardizem treatment, iv cardizem, titrating cardizem iv, cardizem used for, cardizem drip, absorbtion of cardizem, cardizem manufactures, cardizem stress test, cardizem prescribing information, what is cardizem, cardizem alcohol breath, cardizem cd manufacturer, insulin cardizem, cardizem gel, smoking on cardizem, cardizem and aventis, cardizem dose, cardizem indications, generic cardizem, cardizem with hypotension,
|
Your cart: 
