Brand Names: Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Dilt-CD, Diltia XT, Diltiazem Hydrochloride CD, Diltiazem Hydrochloride SR, Diltiazem Hydrochloride XR, Diltiazem Hydrochloride XT, Dilt-XR, Diltzac, Taztia XT, Tiazac

Generic Name: diltiazem (Pronunciation: dil TYE a zem)

• What is diltiazem (Tiazac)?
• 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 is diltiazem (Tiazac)?

Diltiazem is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels.

Diltiazem is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders.

Diltiazem may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Cardizem CD 120 mg

turquoise, imprinted with Cardizem CD 120 mg

Cardizem CD 180 mg

blue/turquoise, imprinted with Cardizem CD 180 mg

Cardizem CD 240 mg

blue, imprinted with cardizem 240 mg

Cardizem CD 300 mg

blue/gray, imprinted with Cardizem CD 300 mg

Cardizem LA 120 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with B, 120, 120 MG

Cardizem LA 180 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with B, 180

Cardizem LA 240 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with B, 240

Cardizem LA 360 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with B, 360

Cardizem LA 420 mg

oblong, white, imprinted with B, 420 MG

Cartia XT 120 mg

orange/white, imprinted with 120 mg, Andryx 597

Cartia XT 180 mg

orange/yellow, imprinted with 180 mg, Andryx 598

Cartia XT 240 mg

brown/orange, imprinted with 240 mg, Andryx 599

Cartia XT 300 mg

orange, imprinted with 300 mg, Andryx 600

Dilacor XR 120 mg

gold/white, imprinted with rpr DILACOR XR 120 mg

Dilacor XR 180 mg per 24 hours-WAT

beige/lavender, imprinted with 180 mg DILACOR XR

Dilacor XR 180 mg

orange/white, imprinted with W DILACOR XR 180 mg

Dilacor XR 240 mg

brown/white, imprinted with Logo DILACOR XR 240 mg

Dilacor XR 240 mg-WAT

blue/pink, imprinted with Logo DILACOR 240 mg

Dilitazem 240 mg ER-EON

green, imprinted with R-2578

Diltia XT 180 mg

gray/white, imprinted with Andryx 549 180 mg

Diltiazem 120 mg-24-MYL

pink, imprinted with MYLAN 5220

Diltiazem 120 mg-MYL

oblong, white, imprinted with M525

Diltiazem 120 mg-TEV

oblong, orange, imprinted with 93 321

Diltiazem 180 mg-24-MYL

pink/purple, imprinted with MYLAN 5280

Diltiazem 240 mg-24-MYL

blue/pink, imprinted with MYLAN 5340

Diltiazem 30 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M 23

Diltiazem 30 mg-TEV

round, peach, imprinted with 93 318

Diltiazem 60 mg-APH

round, yellow, imprinted with BMS, 55 50

Diltiazem 60 mg-MYL

round, yellow, imprinted with M 45

Diltiazem 60 mg-TEV

round, orange, imprinted with 93 319

Diltiazem 90 mg ER-MYL

pink/yellow, imprinted with MYLAN 6090

Diltiazem 90 mg-MYL

oblong, white, imprinted with M135

Diltiazem 90 mg-TEV

oblong, peach, imprinted with 93 320

Diltiazem 90 mg-WAT

oblong, blue, imprinted with WATSON 777

Diltiazem CD 120 mg-APO

white, imprinted with APO, 007

Diltiazem CD 180 mg-APO

blue/white, imprinted with APO, 008

Diltiazem CD 240 mg-APO

blue/white, imprinted with APO, 009

Diltiazem ER 120 mg-MYL

pink, imprinted with MYLAN 6120

Diltiazem ER 120 mg-TEV

green, imprinted with BVF 120

Diltiazem ER 180 mg-TEV

dark green/light green, imprinted with BVF 180

Diltiazem ER 180 mg-WAT

pink/white, imprinted with 180 mg WATSON 663

Diltiazem ER 240 mg-TEV

green, imprinted with BVF 240

Diltiazem ER 300 mg-TEV

green/white, imprinted with BVF 300

Diltiazem SR 120 mg-MYL

pink, imprinted with MYLAN 6120

Diltiazem SR 60 mg-MYL

pink/white, imprinted with MYLAN 6060

Diltiazem XR 120 mg-APO

orange/white, imprinted with APO 014

Diltiazem XR 180 mg-APO

orange/white, imprinted with APO 015

Diltiazem XR 240 mg-APO

brown/white, imprinted with APO 016

Diltzac 120 mg

blue, imprinted with APO, 120

Diltzac 180 mg

turquoise/white, imprinted with APO, 180

Diltzac 240 mg

blue/turquoise, imprinted with APO, 240

Diltzac 300 mg

blue/white, imprinted with APO, 300

Diltzac 360 mg

turquoise, imprinted with APO, 360

Tiazac 120 mg

purple, imprinted with Tiazac 120

Tiazac 180 mg

turquoise/white, imprinted with Tiazac 180

Tiazac 240 mg

green/purple, imprinted with Tiazac 240

Tiazac 300 mg

blue/white, imprinted with Tiazac 300

Tiazac 360 mg

green, imprinted with Tiazac 360

Tiazac 420 mg

white, imprinted with Tiazac 420

What are the possible side effects of diltiazem?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• a red, blistering skin rash;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• trouble breathing;
• slow heartbeats;
• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
• upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache;
• dizziness, weakness, tired feeling;
• upset stomach, nausea;
• sore throat, cough, stuffy nose; or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Tiazac (diltiazem hcl) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about diltiazem?

Do not use this medication if you have certain heart conditions such as "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 have kidney disease, liver disease, or congestive heart failure.

Diltiazem may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

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

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.

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