Diltiazem Hydrochloride Medication Summary
No separate FDA Medication Guide was found for this label. This summary is based on FDA/DailyMed prescribing information.
What is this medication?
Diltiazem Hydrochloride is described in FDA/DailyMed prescribing information. No separate FDA Medication Guide was found for this label. This summary is based on FDA/DailyMed prescribing information.
What is this medication used for?
Diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. Diltiazem hydrochloride may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications, such as diuretics. Diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules are indicated for the management of chronic stable angina.
What should I know before taking it?
Diltiazem hydrochloride is contraindicated in: (1) patients with sick sinus syndrome except in the presence of a functioning ventricular pacemaker; (2) patients with second or third degree AV block except in the presence of a functioning ventricular pacemaker; (3) patients with hypotension (less than 90 mmHg systolic); (4) patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to the drug; and (5) patients with acute myocardial infarction and pulmonary congestion as documented by X-ray on admission.
What important warnings are listed?
Cardiac Conduction Diltiazem hydrochloride prolongs AV node refractory periods without significantly prolonging sinus node recovery time, except in patients with sick sinus syndrome. This effect may rarely result in abnormally slow heart rates (particularly in patients with sick sinus syndrome) or second, or third degree AV block (22 of 10,119 patients, or 0.2%); 41% of these 22 patients were receiving concomitant β-adrenoceptor antagonists versus 17% of the total group. Concomitant use of diltiazem with beta-blockers or digitalis may result in additive effects on cardiac conduction. A patient with Prinzmetal’s angina developed periods of asystole (2 to 5 seconds) after a single 60 mg dose.
How is this medication usually taken?
Hypertensive or anginal patients who are treated with other formulations of diltiazem can safely be switched to diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules at the nearest equivalent total daily dose. Subsequent titration to higher or lower doses may, however, be necessary and should be initiated as clinically indicated. Studies have shown a slight increase in the rate of absorption of diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules when ingested with a high-fat breakfast; therefore, administration in the morning on an empty stomach is recommended. Patients should be cautioned that the diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules should not be opened, chewed or crushed, and.
What side effects are listed?
Serious adverse reactions to diltiazem hydrochloride have been rare in studies with other formulations, as well as with diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules. It should be recognized, however, that patients with impaired ventricular function and cardiac conduction abnormalities have usually been excluded from these studies. Hypertension The most common adverse events (frequency ≥1%) in placebo-controlled, clinical hypertension studies with diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules using daily doses up to 540 mg, are listed in the table below with placebo-treated patients included for comparison. MOST COMMON ADVERSE EVENTS IN DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED HYPERTENSION.
What interactions are listed?
The FDA/DailyMed label should be reviewed for complete details.
Where can I find the official prescribing information?
Review the full prescribing information on DailyMed: https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=04a85be5-f746-418e-8e37-292703f16934
⚠️ Disclaimer
This summary is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other licensed healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medicine. Read full medical disclaimer.