Diltiazem Overview

(dil TYE a zem)

Cardizem®; Cardizem® CD; Cardizem® LA; Cartia XT®; Dilacor XR®; Dilt-CD; Dilt-XR; Diltia XT®; Diltzac; Taztia XT®; Tiazac®

Apo-Diltiaz CD®; Apo-Diltiaz SR®; Apo-Diltiaz TZ®; Apo-Diltiaz®; Apo-Diltiaz® Injectable; Cardizem® CD; Diltiazem HCl ER®; Diltiazem Hydrochloride Injection; Diltiazem TZ; Gen-Diltiazem; Gen-Diltiazem CD; Gen-Diltiazem SR; Med-Diltiazem; Novo-Diltazem; Novo-Diltazem-CD; Novo-Diltiazem HCl ER; Nu-Diltiaz; Nu-Diltiaz-CD; ratio-Diltiazem CD; Sandoz-Diltiazem CD; Sandoz-Diltiazem T; Tiazac®; Tiazac® XC

Angiotrofin; Angiotrofin Retard; Dasav; Tilazem

Antiarrhythmic Agent, Class IV; Calcium Channel Blocker; Calcium Channel Blocker, Nondihydropyridine

• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• If you have an allergy to diltiazem or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Low blood pressure, poor electrical activity in the heart without a working pacemaker, or severely weakened heart.

• Diltiazem relaxes blood vessels, lowering blood pressure.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

• A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Shake well before use.

• Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

Immediate-release:

• Take this medicine 30 minutes before meals and at bedtime.

Long-acting products:

• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

• Dilacor XR®, Dilt-XR, and Diltia XT®: Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.

• Cardizem® CD, Cardizem® LA, Cartia XT®, and Dilt-CD: Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Tiazac® and Taztia XT®: You may sprinkle contents of capsule on soft food or liquid. Do not chew.

Injection:

• This medicine is given into a vein constantly for a period of time.

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• Store liquid (suspension) at room temperature or in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused portion after 2 months.

• Protect liquid (suspension) from light.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 12:00:50.0

Modified: 2010-03-25 11:39:51.0

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