Has your doctor prescribed you a medicine called Diltiazem for high blood pressure or angina? You probably have many questions about what to be careful about when taking this medicine, how to use it properly, and what the side effects are. Don't worry, we will talk about all of this very simply and in a friendly way today. By the time you finish reading this, you will have a good understanding of this medicine.
What is Diltiazem?
Simply put, Diltiazem is a drug that is mainly used to control
high blood pressure and prevent chest pain caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart, known as
angina . Think of the blood vessels in your body as pipes carrying water. High pressure means high pressure inside these pipes. What this drug does is "relax" the walls of those blood vessels a little and widen them. Then the blood can move more easily, and the heart has less work to pump blood, which means less fatigue. Due to this, the pressure is controlled and chest pain is also reduced. Medically speaking, this belongs to the group of drugs called
Calcium Channel Blockers . In Sri Lanka, you can find this drug under various brand names such as Cardizem CD, Tiazac, Cartia XT. But whatever the name, the main drug inside is diltiazem.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting this medication
This is very important. For your safety and to get the most out of the medication, if you have any of the following conditions, you should
definitely tell your doctor before starting the medication.
- Heart disease : If you have had a heart attack before, have another heart condition, or have an irregular heartbeat.
- Low blood pressure : If you usually have low blood pressure .
- Allergies : If you are allergic to any medicine, food, food coloring, or preservative, not just to this diltiazem medication.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding : You are pregnant.If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother, it is essential to inform your doctor.
The correct way to use the medicine
To get the best results from a medicine, it is very important to use it correctly. 1.
Follow your doctor's instructions: Always take the medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed, in the right dose, at the right time. It is usually a good habit to take it at the same time every day. 2.
How to take it: Swallow this medicine whole with a glass of water. 3.
With or without food: This medicine can be taken before or after meals. However, some people may experience stomach discomfort when taken without food. If this happens, take the medicine with a meal. 4.
Do not damage the capsule: This is the most important thing. It is not good
to cut, crush, or chew this medicine
. Doing so can cause the medicine to be absorbed into the body all at once and be dangerous. 5.
If you have difficulty swallowing: A special feature of this medicine is that it has a method that can be used by people who have difficulty swallowing. If you have difficulty swallowing the capsule, you can ask your doctor and do this. Carefully open the capsule and place the small pills inside into a teaspoon of applesauce. Then swallow the mixture
without chewing . Remember, do not chew either the pills or the applesauce. 6.
Don't stop: Don't stop taking the medicine just because you feel better without asking your doctor. Doing so can cause your blood pressure to suddenly increase.
If you are giving this medicine to children, special medical advice may be required, so always talk to your doctor about it.
What do you do if you take too much medicine or miss a meal?
Overdosage
If you think you have taken an overdose,
do not delay. Go to the nearest hospital
Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately. Or call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Treat this as an emergency.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose when you remember, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Do not take a double dose for any reason. Other drugs that may interact with this medicine (Drug Interactions)
If you are taking diltiazem, some medications may interact with it, so it is important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies).
Drugs that may interact with diltiazem
Never take diltiazem with these drugs. If you are taking these drugs,
be sure to tell your doctor.
| Flibanserin | Lomitapide |
| Pimozide | Red yeast rice |
| Anesthetics | Buspirone, Carbamazepine |
| Other blood pressure medications or heart disease medications | Some cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g., Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin) |
| Some medications that are used to calm or sleep | Cimetidine, Clonidine, Cyclosporine, Rifampin |
This list is not complete, so tell your doctor about everything you use. Also, don't forget to tell him if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Medical examinations : Go to the clinic on the scheduled dates and meet with the doctor to check your condition.
- Measure your blood pressure: Measure your blood pressure at home or at a nearby location as advised by your doctor. Know what your normal blood pressure is and if it goes above that, you should call your doctor .
- Taking medication for other illnesses: Do not take medication for coughs, colds, or body aches on your own without consulting your doctor. Some medications, such as painkillers, can increase your blood pressure.
- Dizziness and drowsiness:You may feel dizzy, lightheaded, or sleepy when you first start using this medicine. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving, working at heights, or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Stand up straight: When you suddenly change positions (e.g., getting out of bed, standing up from a sitting position), you can feel dizzy and fall. To prevent this, always stand up straight .
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking this medication may increase side effects such as dizziness.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, diltiazem can cause side effects in some people. Most of these are not serious. However, there are some symptoms that we should be especially aware of.
Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately: Side effects that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist.
| Type of side effect | What to know |
|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Symptoms of heart failure | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, extreme fatigue. |
| Slow heartbeat | Severe dizziness, feeling faint, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of liver injury | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow or brown urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
| High blood pressureLow blood pressure | Dizziness, blurred vision, feeling like you're about to lose consciousness. |
| Serious skin reactions | Redness of the skin, blistering, peeling of the skin (even inside the mouth). |
| Constipation | Facial redness or feeling warm |
| Headache | |
How do you keep your medicine safe?
- Keep away from children: This is the most important thing. Always keep medicines in a locked place, out of the reach of children and pets .
- Suitable temperature: Store at room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius). Protect from excessive heat and moisture.
- After expiration: If the expiration date on the medicine package has passed, discard the medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Take diltiazem exactly as your doctor prescribes, and at the right time. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor, even if you feel better.
- Never break, crush, or chew the medicine. Swallow it whole. If you have difficulty swallowing, ask your doctor about alternative methods.
- Give your doctor a complete list of all other medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience a serious side effect such as severe headache, difficulty breathing, body swelling, or severe skin allergies.
- Avoid self-medicating for other illnesses (cough, cold, pain) without consulting a doctor.
Diltiazem, high blood pressure, angina, chest pain, calcium channel blocker, medication side effects, side effects, heart disease, heart health
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