diltiazem
Brand names: diltiazem hydrochloride
# Diltiazem: What You Need to Know Diltiazem is a medicine that helps your heart work better and keeps your blood pressure under control. Doctors prescribe it to treat high blood pressure and certain heart rhythm problems. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in your body, which allows blood to flow more easily and reduces the strain on your heart. This medicine is especially helpful for people whose hearts work too hard or whose blood vessels are too tight. Before taking diltiazem, it's important to tell your doctor about all the other medicines you're taking, because diltiazem can interact with some drugs. Never take it with certain heart medicines without your doctor's approval, as combining them could cause problems with your heart's rhythm or how hard it beats. You should also let your doctor know if you're pregnant, nursing, or have any serious health conditions. Like all medicines, diltiazem can cause side effects, so always take it exactly as your doctor prescribes and attend follow-up appointments to make sure it's working safely for you.
Known Interactions
Drug Interactions Because of the potential for additive effects, slow titration is warranted in patients receiving diltiazem hydrochloride concomitantly with other agents known to affect cardiac contractility and/or conduction (see WARNINGS ). Pharmacologic studies indicate that there may be additive effects in prolonging AV conduction when using beta-blockers or digitalis concomitantly with diltiazem hydrochloride (see WARNINGS ). Diltiazem is both a substrate and an inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme system. Other drugs that are specific substrates, inhibitors, or inducers of this enzyme system may have a significant impact on the efficacy and side effect profile of diltiazem. Patients taking other drugs that are substrates of CYP450 3A4, especially patients with renal and/or hepatic impairment, may require dosage adjustment when starting or stopping concomitantly administered diltiazem in order to maintain optimum therapeutic blood levels. Anesthetics : The depression of ca
Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA
Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)
- DYSPNOEA3,199 reports
- FATIGUE2,636 reports
- NAUSEA2,375 reports
- PAIN2,365 reports
- DIZZINESS2,090 reports
- DIARRHOEA2,043 reports
- DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,996 reports
- FALL1,956 reports
- HEADACHE1,929 reports
- ATRIAL FIBRILLATION1,752 reports
Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.
Check interactions with diltiazem:
SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.