FAQ
1. What is Diltiazem (Cardizem) and what is it used for?
Diltiazem is a medical drug available to us under the brand name Cardizem which belongs to a class of medication called Calcium Channel Blockers. This medicine is used to treat and control high blood pressure in the body which could further lead to stroke or heart attack. It is also used to treat or prevent chest pain(Angina).
2. When and how to use Diltiazem?
Diltiazem is available to us in a form of pill that must be taken by mouth before meal or as per your doctor's prescription. It is usually taken 3-4 times a day daily. The dosage and length of the treatment is based on your medical condition, response to the treatment and other medicine that you may be taking for the same or different reason. Swallow the tablet whole rather than chewing or crushing it in your mouth as it may release all the drug in your mouth which increases the risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you with a low dose which will increase gradually. Take the medicine daily at the same time to get the most benefits from it. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed as this may also increase the risk of side effects without any improvement in your condition. Discuss all the other medicines that you might be taking along with Diltiazem for the same or different reasons. Follow the medical prescription carefully and inform your doctor in case of any exception or confusion.
3. What are the side effects of Diltiazem?
Common side effects observed while medicating with Diltiazem are lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, weakness, constipation, headache or flushing may occur. Inform your doctor if these conditions persist or get worse. There are some serious side effects which must be informed to the doctor right away if observed such as fainting, new or worsening symptoms (shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain), slow/irregular/pounding/fast heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as depression, agitation), unusual dreams, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin etc. There are also some severe allergic reactions involved with these medications which require immediate medical attention if observed such as rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), trouble breathing, severe dizziness etc.
4. Is Diltiazem an effective medicine?
For analyzing the working of Diltiazem in patients dealing with hypertension or chronic angina, Extensive comparative trials were conducted. According to the result of those trials, Diltiazem was proven to be an effective and safe antihypertensive therapy. Diltiazem has also proven to increase the tolerance of exercise and decrease in episodes involved with angina.
5. How long does Diltiazem take to work?
Diltiazem delivers its peak effects within 3-6 hours after the oral administration of medicine i.e. blood pressure reduction and widening of blood vessels with half of its effects still present after 24 hours of intake. The dosage is generally based on your blood pressure condition and its response to the medicine in action.
6. Is Diltiazem better than amlodipine?
Diltiazem and amlodipine both are effective medicine of class calcium channel blockers that relaxes the blood vessels to allow blood flow freely throughout the body thereby reducing the blood pressure. When compared, amlodipine was found to be more potent than Diltiazem in reduction of systolic blood pressure. However with increase in potency, side effects involved with amlodipine were observed more than Diltiazem.
7. What is Diltiazem used for?
Diltiazem is a remedy used to deal with high blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, taking diltiazem facilitates to save you future coronary heart disorder, heart attacks and strokes. Diltiazem is likewise used to save you chest pain because of angina in addition to Raynaud's phenomenon.
8. Does Diltiazem lower heart rate?
Diltiazem is known as a calcium channel blocker. It in reality works by way of relaxing blood vessels in the body and heart so blood can drift more without issue. Diltiazem additionally lowers your heart price. Those outcomes help the heart work lots much less hard and decrease blood stress.
9. Is Diltiazem hard on the kidneys?
If it maintains for a long time, the heart and arteries might not function properly. this will harm the blood vessels of the brain, coronary heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.
10. Which medicine interacts with Diltiazem?
Interaction with a medicine generally refers to a change of effectiveness and potential risk that can develop in the body when two or more different drugs come into contact with one another inside the body. Medicines interacting with Diltiazem include fingolimod, Digoxin, cough and cold products, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, diet aids, etc. There are also certain drugs that slow down the removal of drug or another drug from the body such as rifamycins, azole antifungals, lomitapide, flibanserin, asunaprevir, Ivabradine, Buspirone, Colchicine, etc
11. Is Diltiazem safe during pregnancy?
Irbesartan is a kind of medicine that must be used when seriously needed during pregnancy. One must consult the doctor before medicating with Diltiazem during pregnancy. Also, the drug gets passed on to breast milk and can cause an undesirable effect on the unborn child. Kindly consult the doctor before breastfeeding your baby.
12. What precautions must be taken before using Diltiazem?
Before starting the medication with Diltiazem, one must inform the doctor regarding allergies related to any component of the medicine, or any other allergies as these products may contain some ingredient that causes an allergic reaction inside your body. Tell your doctor if you have any medical history related to liver disease, kidney disease, heart rhythm disorder, heart failure, etc. Use of alcohol and marijuana will make you dizzier than its usual effect which must be avoided.
