Get Informed: Diltiazem

48

Patient Comments about
Diltiazem

Active Ingredient(s)

Diltiazem

What does it do?

Diltiazem

This product is used in the treatment of hypertension and angina. It works by slowing the flow of calcium into heart and vascular smooth muscle.

Last Text Update:
 2009-Nov-21 12:30 AM
Last Data Update:
 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM

Other Names

  • Diltiazem
  • Cardizem
  • Cartia
  • Cartia XT
  • Cardizem CD
  • Tiazac
  • Diltiazem ER
  • Diltiazem CD
  • Cardizem LA
  • Diltiazem HCl
  • Dilt-XR
  • Diltiazem XR
  • Taztia XT
  • Dilatan
  • Taztia
  • Dilacor
  • Dilacor XR
  • Diltia XT
  • Diltiazem 12hr
  • Diltia
  • Dilaclan

How Safe Is It?

Your Risk Rating
Please log in
Average Risk Rating
2: General
Pregnancy Category:
C
Black Box Warning:
No

Facts & Figures

Date Approved
05 Nov 1982
Est US Patients*
1,118,000
Generic Available
Yes
OTC Available
No

User Age Distribution*

1

< 21

2

21-39

27

40-59

70

60+

Age (Years)

* Estimated number of US people currently taking Diltiazem or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.

Other Resources

Recent alerts for Diltiazem

Diltiazem Safety Report

2: General

The iGuard risk rating for Diltiazem is blue. It means that Diltiazem normally has a low risk of serious or long-term side effects if used under normal medical supervision.

Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings

  • Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Diltiazem interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.

What is Diltiazem used for?

iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 6,500 patients that use Diltiazem (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.

Disease / Condition % Average Severity
High Blood Pressure 63% 5
Atrial Fibrillation 23% 5
Angina / Chest Pain 9% 5
Heart Failure / Edema 4% 5
Epilepsy / Seizures 3% 5
Post Heart Attack / Stent 3% 5
Heart Valve Problems 2% 5
Other 9% 5

How well does Diltiazem work?

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 6,500 users taking Diltiazem (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.

Average Satisfaction Score

(out of 10)

Average Effectiveness Score

(out of 10)

66 69
86%
of patients are confident that the good things about Diltiazem outweigh the bad things.
12%
of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Diltiazem.

Common Side Effects of Diltiazem

iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 6,500 users taking Diltiazem (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.

27%

27% of patients experience side-effects on Diltiazem

3%

3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Diltiazem


Most Common Side Effects...

  • 5% Fatigue
  • 5% Dizziness
  • 5% Drowsiness
  • = 10%

Less than 1%: Congestion, Dry Mouth, Dryness, Elevated Heart Rate, Low Blood Pressure, Mood/Behavior Changes, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Nasal Congestions, Nausea/Vomiting, Palpitations, Swelling/Edema, Weakness


Global Patient Feedback for Diltiazem ( Post a comment )

Comments, Questions, and Answers
Show Newest | Oldest first

Question/Comment:

I HAVE BEEN TAKING CARDIZEM(STARTED AT 120MG) 180MG CARDIZEMLA,COMBINED OVER 15 YEARS. I HAVE HAD 3 HEART ATTACKS AND ONE STROKE AND I GIVE CARDIZEM CREDIT FOR HELPING ME THROUGH ALL OF THESE. NOW MY BP. IS HIGHER AND SOMETHING ELSE HAS BEEN ADDED ON (MORE OF AS NEEDED) BUT AS THE FIRST OF THIS YEAR I WAS INFORMED BY MY MEDICARE PT D COVERAGE BRAND CARDIZEM WOULD NOT BE COVERED(I UNDERSTAND,ECONOMY!)SO I STARTED THE DILTIZAM 180,I HAVE A STRANGE SYSTEM I SUPPOSE 'BUT I HAVE HAD A HARD TIME WITH THIS(1ST WAS A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF THE CARTIA,I AM ALLERGIC TO SOMETHING HERE?)SO I EITHER FEEL SO BAD ON THE GENERICK OR I TRY TO BUY THE BRAND CARDIZEM SO I CAN AT LEAST FEEL MORE ALIVE!!!!. I'M 56 YEARS OLD AND I PRAY SOMEHOW, SOMEWAY THE SAFER CARDIZEM I HAVE BEEN USED TO SINCE MY 1ST. MI. WILL BE MORE AVAILABLE AND NOT CHANGED SO MUCH THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME (I HAVE A VERY HARD TIME WITH SO MANY MEDS.) WON'T HAVE TO CHOOSE WHAT TO LEAVE OUT FOR THE MONTH SO I CAN BUY THE 108.00 AMOUNT THAT I CHOOSE TO OUT OF WHAT THE BETTER MEDICINE IS!!! THANK YOU FOR THE PATIENCE'I'M NEW TO MAKING THE COMMENTS AND IT MIGHT BE TOO LONG OR ? BUT I AM VERY AWARE AFTER 15 YEARS WHAT IS EASIER ON MY BODY(I AM ASHAMED HOW MUCH MEDICINE I HAVE TO TAKE); BUT I THANK GOD FOR THE BRAND CARDIZEM.!!!!

56 year old Female

Posted: 2009-09-25 10:51:47

Answer/Reply:

I too preferred Cardizem. When I had to switch to a generic, Dilantzem did not work well at all. My doctor told me some people just don't absorb formulas the same way. I did okay on Tizac, but am using Cartia now. Had chest tightness and some pain when on the Dilantzem that went away after switching to Tizac. But The Cartia seems to work a little better for me. B/P has gone down from 170/90's to 132/80's.

58 year old Female

Posted: 2009-10-12 00:42:10

Question/Comment:

I have been taking diltiazem for three years and two weeks ago developed agonizing pain in my right leg and knee. Suspecting this drug, I stopped using it and the pain vanished in three days.

76 year old Male

Posted: 2009-09-18 15:24:48

Question/Comment:

I have been taking Diltiazem for a few years after developing an allergy to Toprol.Recently my dosage was increased but my blood pressure has not gone below 140/80.This still seems high to me. My questions are,is my bp still too high and is there another medication similar to Toprol I could try?

53 year old Female

Posted: 2009-08-22 11:11:40

Question/Comment:

I have been taking diltiazem CD, lisinopril, and Lipitor for about 4 years. My BP averages about 100/65 and my cholesterol is low. I have never had any side effects. I have my blood work done every 3 or 4 months. Recently, I have had a lot of muscle aches and pains. Could this be a side effect showing up after years of taking these?

65 year old Male

Posted: 2009-07-24 20:41:55

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

About 10% of patients experience muscle pains while taking medications like Lipitor and these side effects can occur at any time while taking the medication. While it is possible that after being on medications for such a long time, you could develop side effects, it is also important to look at any other changes you may have made in your life that could be causing muscles aches and pains. Make an appointment with your physician to discuss these new symptoms.

Posted: 2009-08-03 00:25:05

Answer/Reply:

I have been taking similar drugs for 3 or 4 years and began experiencing lots of muscle aches. I was taking a 40 mg. Zocor tablet daily and cut back to 1/2 a tablet a day and the muscle problems went away, coincidence i don't know but i am pain free. My wife also quit taking Lipitor altogether, her spasms went away also.

61 year old Male

Posted: 2009-08-15 18:21:27

Answer/Reply:

I took Lipitor for a great many years. Then i started to get leg cramps then I started to get muscle cramps all over my body. I can no longer take any kinds of statins for cholesterol control. I am now trying Niaspan 500 mg. My doctor wanted me to go up to 1000 mg but my skin felt like it was on fire, even my eyes burned and watered, the inside of my mouth and throat felt like it was burning, and even my insides. i felt hot all the time.

66 year old Female

Posted: 2009-09-25 13:42:49

Question/Comment:

I don't have and have never had high blood pressure or heart disease. I take Diltiazem as a calcium channel blocker for better blood circulation. I get a high level of calcium in my blood. Does anyone know of any other ways to lower blood calcium?

50 year old Female

Posted: 2009-07-15 08:53:09

iGuard.org Answer/Reply:

You should consult your doctor before making any changes or attempts to alter the calcium or other minerals in your blood. Your doctor will also be able to determine if your current calcium level is acceptable and in balance with other key vitamin and minerals in you blood.

Of note, although it is called a "calcium channel blocker," diltiazem does not affect the levels of calcium in your blood. It works by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard and helps to increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Posted: 2009-07-16 23:44:18

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