Cardizem
(Diltiazem)
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Our bottom line
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.
- Price before coupon$81.38
- Lowest price with coupon$20.5175% savings
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (diltiazem)
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.
105Downsides
- 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.
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker. It lowers blood pressure by slowing your heart rate and relaxing your blood vessels. Your heart gets more oxygen and doesn't have to work as hard to pump, which can relieve chest pain.
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (diltiazem)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Extended release capsule
Prices and coupons
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Side effect rates for Cardizem (Diltiazem)
- Edema5%5%
- Headache5%5%
- Dizziness4%4%
- Asthenia3%3%
- First degree AV block2%2%
- Bradycardia2%2%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Diltiazem.
People taking Diltiazem felt side effect more
People taking Diltiazem felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Cardizem (Diltiazem)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.There have been rare reports of serious up to life-threatening skin rashes in patients who have taken Cardizem (Diltiazem). If you notice a sudden severe rash, tell your doctor immediately.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats coronary artery disease (CAD) and treats and prevents chest pain (angina).Common concerns from people taking Cardizem (Diltiazem)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.- Interacts with the cholesterol medicine Simvastatin.
- Not a good medication for you if you drink alcohol.
- There have been reports of liver damage within the first eight weeks of Cardizem (Diltiazem), particularly if you have a history of liver disease. Your doctor may monitor your liver.