diltiazem sustained-action – oral, Tiazac

Medication Uses: Diltiazem is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and prevent chest pain (angina). It works by relaxing blood vessels and lowering your heart rate to decrease the number and severity of angina episodes. This medication can also help increase your ability to exercise.

How To Use: Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not crush or chew them. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you may open it and sprinkle the contents on a spoonful of soft applesauce. Swallow immediately without chewing. Remember to rinse your mouth and swallow the rinse liquid to ensure you have taken all of the medicine. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it.

Side Effects: Dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, flushing, constipation, and headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience fainting, irregular heartbeat, swelling ankles/feet, shortness of breath, unusual tiredness, unexplained weight gain, mental/mood changes, or severe stomach pain. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare but seek immediate medical attention if you develop a rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of side effects, so contact your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any other effects.

Precautions: Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have any allergies before taking diltiazem. This product may contain inactive ingredients that could cause allergic reactions. Do not use this medication if you have certain heart rhythm problems or specific medical conditions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist before using diltiazem if you have liver or kidney disease, heart failure, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. Limit alcohol consumption as it may increase the risk of side effects. Before having surgery, inform your doctor or dentist about your medication use. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of diltiazem. This medication should only be used when clearly needed during pregnancy, so discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Diltiazem passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant, so consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Notify your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially amiodarone, digoxin, and fingolimod. Diltiazem may interact with other medications, affecting their removal from your body or how your body gets rid of them. Therefore, it is crucial to check the labels of all your medicines, including cough-and-cold products and NSAIDs, to ensure they do not contain ingredients that could increase blood pressure or heart rate. Cimetidine, a nonprescription drug used to treat extra stomach acid, may interact with diltiazem, so consult your pharmacist for alternative products. This is not an exhaustive list of drug interactions, so keep a list of all your medications and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.

Overdose: If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes: Do not share this medication with others. Make lifestyle changes, such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes, to enhance the effectiveness of this medication. Regularly check your blood pressure and pulse at home and share the results with your doctor.

Missed Dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Different brands of this medication may have different storage needs, so consult your pharmacist.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. Consult a healthcare professional before taking any drug, changing any diet, or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.