Drug Name

Cardizem (Diltiazem)

Drug Uses

Cardizem is used for the treatment as well as prevention of angina, resulting from coronary artery spasm, as well as from exertion. Cardizem is as well as used in the treatment of high blood pressure. By slowing electrical conduction in the heart, cardizem has been used in treating abnormally quick heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.

How Taken

Cardizem may be used with or without food. Since cardizem is excreted by the kidney as well as metabolized by the liver, dosages may need to be lowered in patients with liver or kidney dysfunction.

Drug Class as well as Mechanism

Cardizem belongs to a class of medications, called calcium channel blockers. These medications block the transport of calcium into the level muscle cells, lining the coronary arteries as well as other arteries of the body. Since calcium is substantial in muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery muscles as well as dilates coronary arteries as well as other arteries of the body. By relaxing coronary arteries, cardizem is useful in treating as well as preventing chest pain (angina) resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing the muscles lining the arteries of the rest of the body, lowers blood pressure, which reduces the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reducing heart burden lessens the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, as well as further helps to halt angina in patients with coronary artery disease. Cardizem can decrease electrical conduction in the heart as well as unhurried heart rate.

Missed Dose

Incase you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take incase it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose as well as resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from sunlight as well as moisture.

Warnings/Precautions

Before using this drug, tell your doctor incase you have: heart problems, liver disease, lung disease, allergies. Limit intake of alcohol while using this drug. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks as well as benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk. Incase there is no alternative to using this drug you should discontinue breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Likely Side Effects

This drug may cause dizziness as well as lightheadedness especially during the earliest few days. Avoid activities, requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust as well as minimize dizziness. You may as well as experience bloating, heartburn, muscle cramps, headache, flushing, nasal congestion, sore throat, constipation or diarrhea. Inform your doctor incase they become bothersome. Notify your doctor incase you develop: breathing difficulties, swelling of the hands or feet, an irregular heartbeat. Incase you notice other effects, not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

More Information

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