DILTIAZEM (Cardizem®) is a calcium-channel blocker. It affects the amount of calcium found in your heart and muscle cells. This results in relaxation of blood vessels, which can reduce the amount of work the heart has to do. Diltiazem relieves different types of chest pain (angina); it is not a cure. Generic diltiazem tablets are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
an unusual or allergic reaction to diltiazem, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take diltiazem tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take diltiazem tablets on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Do not significantly increase grapefruit juice intake while taking this drug, or avoid grapefruit juice if possible. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often then directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with diltiazem?
Do not take Diltiazem with any of the following:
astemizole
cisapride
grapefruit juice
pimozide
terfenadine
Diltiazem may also interact with the following medications:
alfuzosin
alosetron
antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
aspirin
barbiturates such as phenobarbital
bosentan
certain antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, troleandomycin)
certain medicines used to treat cancer
certain medicines to treat migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methysergide)
cevimeline
cilostazol
cimetidine
clonidine
cyclosporine
doxercalciferol
fentanyl
galantamine
herbal or dietary supplements such as ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, hawthorn, ma huang (ephedra), melatonin, St. John's wort, red yeast rice
lithium
local anesthetics or general anesthetics
medicines for anxiety or difficulty sleeping (examples: alprazolam, buspirone, midazolam, triazolam)
medicines for depression or mental problems (imipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone, ziprasidone)
medicines for fungal infections (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking diltiazem?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
confusion, mental depression
fainting spells, lightheadedness
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
skin rash, itching
slow heartbeat, irregular heartbeat
swelling of the feet and ankles
unusual weakness or tiredness
unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
constipation or diarrhea
difficulty sleeping
drowsiness or dizziness
facial flushing
headache
nausea, vomiting
sexual dysfunction
What should I watch for while taking diltiazem?
Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly; this is important while you are taking diltiazem. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be and when you should contact him or her.
You may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how diltiazem affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Avoid alcoholic drinks; they can make you more dizzy or increase flushing and rapid heartbeats.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking diltiazem.
Do not suddenly stop taking diltiazem. Ask your prescriber or health care professional how to gradually reduce the dose.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from humidity. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
What is the shelf life of the pills?
The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.
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