Cardizem (Generic)
Cardizem (Diltiazem) is in a class of medications called calcium-channel blockers. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. It also increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

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Uses

Diltiazem (dil TYE a zem) is used to treat angina (chest pain) or high blood pressure. Diltiazem is also used sometimes to treat Raynaud's syndrome. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition. If taken regularly, Diltiazem controls chest pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may give you a different medication to take when you have chest pain. Diltiazem controls high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them.

How to take

Diltiazem comes as a tablet to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken three or four times a day with or without food. Take Diltiazem exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take Diltiazem even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Diltiazem without talking to your doctor.

Side effects

Side effects, that may go away during treatment, include headache, facial flushing, or constipation. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience tender, bleeding, or swollen gums; irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or swelling of the feet or hands. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, weakness, slowed or irregular heartbeat, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech. If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Precaution

Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking amiodarone, carbamazepine, cyclosporine, digoxin, or intravenous (iv) calcium. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have a history of heart block, low blood pressure, severe heart failure, or certain abnormal heart rhythms (wolff-parkinson-white, lown-ganong-levine, or sick sinus syndromes). Do not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. Do not stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. This medicine may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. 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. If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Drug interactions

Before taking Diltiazem, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone); cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol); digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); lovastatin (Mevacor); midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater) or rifabutin (Mycobutin); St. John's wort; antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin), metronidazole (Flagyl, Protostat), azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), itraconazole (Sporanox), or ketoconazole (Nizoral); antidepressants such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft); HIV /AIDS medicine such as amprenavir (Agenerase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), ritonavir (Norvir), or saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase); seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others. If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Diltiazem, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, 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 at 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.