Compare Diltiazem vs. Catapres
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Diltiazem works well to lower blood pressure and prevent chest pain, but you have to be okay with avoiding alcohol. You can't miss doses, and you might get persistent swelling.
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3.5/ 5 average rating with 105 reviewsforDiltiazem
Lowers blood pressure.
Catapres (Clonidine) is a good addition if you need more than one medicine to control your blood pressure, but it has a lot of side effects. You can't miss doses.
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3.2/ 5 average rating with 78 reviewsforCatapres
Upsides
- A first-choice blood pressure treatment for many people.
- Calcium channel blockers work especially well for African Americans to lower blood pressure.
- You can take it alone or with other medicines to help lower blood pressure.
- Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Prevents heart-related chest pain (angina) if you take it regularly.
- Treats certain abnormal heart rhythms.
- Can be added to other blood pressure-lowering medicines if you need additional blood pressure control.
- Available in a weekly patch for people that aren't good at taking medicine by mouth.
- Works in the brain, so it can help treat some nervous system and psychiatric conditions.
- Under the brand name Kapvay, it's used to treat ADHD in children and teenagers.
Downsides
- Calcium channel blockers can cause swelling in your limbs. If this happens for you, it probably won't get better over time, so talk to your doctor about alternatives if it bothers you.
- Women are more likely to have side effects (especially swelling) from Diltiazem than men.
- You can't miss doses. Stopping Diltiazem suddenly can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Some brands of Diltiazem have to be taken with food, so listen carefully for instructions from your doctor or pharmacist.
- Not a good medication for you if you drink alcohol.
- Has a lot of side effects compared to other blood pressure-lowering medicine because it works in the brain.
- The pill form can make some people sleepy, dizzy, and have dry mouth.
- You can't miss doses. Stopping Clonidine suddenly can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Extended release capsule
- Pill
- Extended release
- Patch
Price
Lowest price
$14.53
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$5.31
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Reviews
105 reviews so far
52%
saidit'sworth it
49%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Cardizem (Diltiazem)?
Leave a review78 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
33%
saiditworked well
35%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Catapres (Clonidine)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
6possible side effects
- Edema5%
- Headache5%
- Dizziness4%
- Asthenia3%
- First degree AV block2%
- Bradycardia2%
17possible side effects
- Erythema / pruritis26%
- Dry mouth25%
- Drowsiness12%
- Localized vesiculation7%
- Fatigue6%
- Headache5%
- Allergic contact sensitization5%
- Hyperpigmentation5%
- Lethargy3%
- Sedation3%
- Edema3%
- Excoriation3%
- Burning3%
- Insomnia2%
- Dizziness2%
- Impotence/sexual dysfunction2%
- Dry throat2%
Risks and risk factors
- Skin rashes
- Abnormally slow heart rate
- Taking digoxin or beta-blockers at the same time
- Sudden liver disease
- History of liver disease
- Withdrawal
- Sudden discontinuation of medicine
- Driving impairment
- Taking with alcohol
- Taking other medicines that make you less alert
- Low heart rate (bradycardia)
- Age 65 years or older
- Using other medicine(s) that slows the heart