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In this Article

• What is diltiazem (Cardizem LA)?
• What are the possible side effects of diltiazem?
• What is the most important information I should know about diltiazem?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diltiazem?
• How should I take diltiazem?
• What happens if I miss a dose?
• What happens if I overdose?
• What should I avoid while taking diltiazem?
• What other drugs will affect diltiazem?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking diltiazem?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to diltiazem, or if you have:

• certain heart conditions, especially "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
• low blood pressure; or
• if you have recently had a heart attack.

Before taking diltiazem, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or
• congestive heart failure.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Diltiazem can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take diltiazem?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take diltiazem with a full glass of water.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open a controlled-delivery or extended-release tablet or capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

If you have trouble swallowing a diltiazem capsule whole, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to open the capsule and sprinkle the medicine into a spoonful of applesauce to make swallowing easier. Swallow this mixture right away without chewing. Do not save the mixture for later use. Discard the empty capsule.

It is important to use diltiazem regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking diltiazem suddenly, your condition may become worse.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Diltiazem may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney and liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store diltiazem at room temperature away from moisture and heat.