Most of the time, when your doctor prescribes you medicine for high blood pressure, you may be familiar with the name Diltiazem among those medicines. Or perhaps you have heard this name among the medicines given for chest pain (angina). So today, let's talk about what Diltiazem is, what it does, and what we need to be careful about when using this medicine.
What is this Diltiazem?
Simply put, Diltiazem is a medicine that is used to control high blood pressure and prevent chest pain (angina) . Think of the blood vessels in our body as pipes that carry water. High pressure means high pressure inside these pipes. What this medicine does is to 'relax' our blood vessels a little and widen them. Then the blood is allowed to flow more easily without getting stuck. This reduces the workload on the heart, which means the amount of work the heart has to do.
Medically speaking, this is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers . This means that this process occurs by controlling the entry of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before prescribing Diltiazem, it is important that your doctor is fully aware of your health condition. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
| Situation you need to report | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Heart attack or other heart disease | Because diltiazem affects heart function, special care is required if you already have heart disease. |
| Irregular heartbeat | This medication can slow down the heart rate, so if there is already a problem, it should be reported. |
| Low blood pressure | This can further lower blood pressure, so the doctor should be aware of it. |
| Allergies | Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to Diltiazem or any other medicine, food, or dye. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | You should talk to your doctor about the safety of this medication during pregnancy. |
| If a mother is breastfeeding her child | Since the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk, it is important to inform the doctor about it. |
How should I use the medicine?
This is very simple. Take the medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed, in the right dose, at the right time. Make it a habit to take your medicine at the same time every day. That way, you are less likely to forget to take your medicine. Continue taking it until your doctor tells you to stop. Don't stop taking it suddenly, even if you feel better.
Important: If you accidentally take too much of this medicine, that is, if you overdose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This is something that should not be delayed even a little.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, including medications for other conditions, vitamins, and even traditional medicines, as some medications may interact with Diltiazem.
| Do NOT Take With Diltiazem | |
|---|---|
| Cisapride | Pimozide |
| Hawthorn (herbal extract) | Ranolazine |
| Red yeast rice | |
| Other drugs that may cause problems (May Also Interact With) | |
| Buspirone, Midazolam (medications for mental relaxation) | Carbamazepine (medicine for epilepsy) |
| Cimetidine, Cyclosporine, Digoxin | Lovastatin (cholesterol-lowering medication) |
| Quinidine | Rifampin, Rifabutin (medicines for tuberculosis) |
| Other medications for blood pressure or heart disease | Anesthetics |
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- See your doctor regularly: Go to the clinic on scheduled days to monitor your progress. Also, check your blood pressure at home as your doctor tells you.
- When taking medication for other illnesses: If you have a cough, cold, or body ache, ask your doctor before taking over-the-counter medication. Some painkillers and cold medicines can increase your blood pressure.
- Skin changes: This medicine can sometimes cause serious skin reactions. These can occur weeks after you start taking the medicine. If you get a rash along with symptoms such as fever or chills, see your doctor right away. The rash may turn red or purple, then blister and peel. Or it may be accompanied by swelling of the face or lips.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: Some people may feel dizzy or drowsy while taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid doing activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not get up suddenly from a sitting position or get out of bed. Get up slowly.
What side effects can I expect?
Like any medicine, Diltiazem can have side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some are serious, while others are mild.
| Side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| 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 heart beat | Dizziness, fainting, 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. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Skin peeling or blistering | Redness, blistering, or peeling of the skin, including in the mouth. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it persists) | |
| Constipation | |
| Facial flushing | |
| Headache | |
Can this medicine cause weight gain?
Usually not. However, some people may experience swelling in their hands, feet, or ankles due to this medication. In medical terms, we call this edema . If this is caused by fluid retention in the body, it may feel like weight gain. If you notice this, tell your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Diltiazem is an important medication for high blood pressure and chest pain (angina).
- Take the medicine exactly as the doctor tells you, at the right time. Do not stop taking it for any reason.
- Inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other illnesses you have.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any new side effects, especially skin rashes, severe dizziness, or swelling.
- Keep the medicine in a safe place out of the reach of children.
- If you have any questions about this medicine, never be afraid to ask your doctor. The most important thing is to take care of your own health.
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