Diltzac

Diltzac is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and control chest pain.

Diltzac belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. These work by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not need to work as hard. Calcium channel blockers also increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

This medication comes in extended release capsule form. Diltzac is usually taken 1 time a day. If needed, you may carefully open Diltzac capsules and sprinkle the contents on a spoonful of applesauce.

Common side effects of Diltzac include headache, flushing, slow heartbeat, and nausea.

Diltzac can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Diltzac affects you.

Diltzac is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and control chest pain.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

The usual starting dose of Diltzac for the treatment of hypertension ranges from 120 to 240 mg daily. 

The usual starting dose of Diltzac for controlling chest pain ranges from 120 mg to 180 mg once daily. 

Your doctor will adjust the dose of Diltzac to your needs. The dose may be increased slowly over time until treatment goals are achieved.

Diltzac can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Diltzac affects you.

Do not take Diltzac if you:

• are allergic to Diltzac or to any of its ingredients
• have sick sinus syndrome, except if you have a functioning  ventricular pacemaker
• have second- or third-degree Av block, except if you have a functioning ventricular pacemaker
• have low blood pressure (less than 90 mmHg systolic)
• have acute myocardial infarction (also called a heart attack)
• have pulmonary congestion 

Serious side effects have been reported with Diltzac. See the “Diltzac Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Diltzac include the following:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Edema
• Flushing
• Headache
• Weakness
• Slow heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Acid indigestion
• Nervousness
• Constipation
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Rash

This is not a complete list of Diltzac side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Benzodiazepines such as
  • Midazolam (Versed)
  • Triazolam (Halcion)
• Beta blockers such as
  • Atenolol (Tenormin)
  • Metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor)
  • Carvedilol (Coreg)
  • Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
  • Betaxolol (Kerlone)
  • Nebivolol (Bystolic)
  • Propranolol (Inderal)
  • Labetalol (Trandate)
  • Nadolol (Corgard)
• Buspirone (Buspar)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Statins such as
  • Lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)
  • Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Quinidine
• Rifampin 
• Clonidine (Catapres)

This is not a complete list of Diltzac drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Diltzac falls into category C. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Diltzac has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Diltzac, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication.