Cardizem CD (diltiazem hcl) is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.

Cardizem CD (diltiazem hcl) is indicated for the management of chronic stable angina and angina due to coronary artery spasm.

Patients controlled on diltiazem alone or in combination with other medications may be switched to Cardizem CD (diltiazem hcl) capsules at the nearest equivalent total daily dose. Higher doses of Cardizem CD (diltiazem hcl) may be needed in some patients. Patients should be closely monitored. Subsequent titration to higher or lower doses may be necessary and should be initiated as clinically warranted. There is limited general clinical experience with doses above 360 mg, but doses to 540 mg have been studied in clinical trials. The incidence of side effects increases as the dose increases with first-degree AV block, dizziness, and sinus bradycardia bearing the strongest relationship to dose.

Hypertension

Dosage needs to be adjusted by titration to individual patient needs. When used as monotherapy, reasonable starting doses are 180 to 240 mg once daily, although some patients may respond to lower doses. Maximum antihypertensive effect is usually observed by 14 days of chronic therapy; therefore, dosage adjustments should be scheduled accordingly. The usual dosage range studied in clinical trials was 240 to 360 mg once daily. Individual patients may respond to higher doses of up to 480 mg once daily.

Angina

Dosages for the treatment of angina should be adjusted to each patient's needs, starting with a dose of 120 or 180 mg once daily. Individual patients may respond to higher doses of up to 480 mg once daily. When necessary, titration may be carried out over a 7- to 14-day period.

Concomitant Use With Other Cardiovascular Agents

1. Sublingual NTG. May be taken as required to abort acute anginal attacks during Cardizem CD (diltiazem hcl) (diltiazem hydrochloride) therapy.
2. Prophylactic Nitrate Therapy. Cardizem CD (diltiazem hcl) may be safely coadministered with short-and long-acting nitrates.
3. Beta-blockers (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS).
4. Antihypertensives. Cardizem CD (diltiazem hcl) has an additive antihypertensive effect when used with other antihypertensive agents. Therefore, the dosage of Cardizem CD or the concomitant antihypertensives may need to be adjusted when adding one to the other.

Cardizem® CD (diltiazem hcl) (diltiazem hydrochloride) Capsules

Storage Conditions: Store at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. Avoid excessive humidity.

Manufactured by: sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC Kansas City, MO, 64137, USA. For: BTA Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (subsidiary of Biovail Corporation) Bridgewater, NJ, 08807, USA. Rev. 11/09

Last reviewed on RxList: 1/5/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.