Cardizem is a calcium channel blocker made up of diltiazem. We carry the alternative to Cardizem which is called diltiazem. This medication is available in 30mg, 60mg, and 90mg.

Cardizem is medication used to prevent angina (chest pain) and treat hypertension (high blood pressure).  The blood inside your body carries oxygen which is essential for heart muscle function and when there is a lack of oxygen, angina occurs. The main cause of this occurrence is coronary artery disease.  Hypertension can be caused by a number of factors ranging from personal decisions like smoking, lack of exercise and excessive alcohol consumption to factors out of your control such as aging, genetics and diseases like kidney and thyroid problems. Hypertension and angina can both lead to serious conditions like strokes and heart attacks, which can sometimes be fatal. This medication can b used on its own or with other medications and has a wide variety of release methods, which we also have available here at MyDrugCenter!

The diltiazem inside Cardizem works to prevent hypertension and angina by causing the blood vessels in your body to relax and widen. When you have hypertension, they are narrow which does not allow for easy blood flow. When they are relaxed, the blood flows much more smoothly thus reducing blood pressure. Diltiazem also helps your heart so it doesn’t have to work as hard by reducing the strain, it does this by lowering the heart rate.

Always follow directions given to you by your doctor. Do not take more or less of a dose than recommended by your doctor. Instructions can usually also be found on the prescription or prescription bottle/container.

Do not crush, chew or break this medication.

Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

Ensure you are taking this medication regularly in order to get the full benefit. You also are suggested to regularly get blood tests done while using Cardizem.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medication before consulting your doctor. You could worsen your condition by doing so.

You should store Cardizem at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do not use this medication if ANY of the following apply to you:

If you have very low blood pressure. This medication is used to treat high blood pressure which means it will lower blood pressure when used. You risk lowering your already very low pressure even more. This can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness and can also cause injury if you end up fainting. Additionally, it can cause damage to your heart and brain.

If you have a serious heart condition and do not use a pacemaker. Conditions such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block". This medication affects the heart rate and could cause a negative reaction with these conditions.

If you have recently had a heart attack and you have a build-up of fluid in your lungs. Cardizem could worsen your condition by slowing down your heart.

Make sure to tell your doctor about the following if they apply to you:

Kidney disease – This medication has a small chance of damaging the blood vessels in the kidneys and could worsen the condition.

Liver Disease – This medication can cause a slight increase in liver enzymes and cause more damage to the liver.

Use of digoxin or beta blocker – You may need a dose adjustment as this medication can increase the amount of digoxin (or beta blockers) in your system, which can cause unwanted reactions.

Cardizem has not yet been established as safe for pregnant women. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or consult your doctor to find out the risks. Cardizem has been established as harmful to nursing babies. Do not breast feed while using Cardizem. Seniors may have an increased chance of side effects. This medication has not approved for the use of those under the age of 18 years old.

Side effects are not always present in everyone. Others are more sensitive to side effects while they could be mild for others. If side effects ever become too much to handle, contact your doctor right away.

Common side effects of Cardizem may include:

dizziness, weakness; headache; nausea; or rash.

Serious side effects of Cardizem may include:

slow heartbeats; pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest; a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or fainting;

Signs to watch for:

heart problems - shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

liver problems - nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or

severe skin reaction - fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

What is Diltiazem?

When taken, this medication may help restore your ability to exercise and decrease the amount and frequency of any chest pain attacks. So what is Cardizem used for? This medication is generally used to prevent a chest pain more commonly known as angina. How does Cardizem work? Diltiazem is classified as a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the blood vessels in the body and heart and in turn lowers the heart rate.  Meaning the blood can flow more easily and your heart has fewer difficulties to pump blood.  This medication comes in three different strengths which are 30mg, 60mg and 90mg. If you have any questions regarding this medication or any inquiries in general, feel free to give us a call at our toll free number 1-877-385-8998.        

What not to take with Diltiazem?

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice does not mix well with Cardizem. Your doctor may even recommend a low-sodium diet for you to follow while on this medication. Also, some medications can affect the removal of Cardizem from the body, which in turn affects how the medication works. Such examples include; St. John's wort, azole antifungals such as Ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics such as Erythromycin, rifamycins including Rifabutin and Rifampin. This is just to name a few; there are others which have not been listed here.

How long does Diltiazem stay in your system?

After you have taken an oral administration of this medication you may ask how long does it take for Cardizem to leave your system? Generally, it can take more than 24 hours for it to be eliminated from your body. Since at least 50% of the effect is still present after the 24 hour mark. As for exactly how long does it take for Diltiazem to work? Cardizem reaches its peak and in turn gives off the required effects within three to six hours. 

What are the side effects of Diltiazem?

Most medications do have some common side effects, and Diltiazem is not an exception. So what are the side effects of Cardizem? Some of the more common ones are listed as follows; Headache, dizziness, slow heart beat, fluid buildup or swelling, weakness, rash, or nausea. Keep in mind that these are not all of the side effects listed for this medication, and if you are experiencing any of these be sure to inform your doctor if they persist or worsen.

Who makes Cardizem?

This medication is produced by a company known as Valeant Pharmaceuticals whom are a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company. They are based out of Laval, Canada. They develop, manufacture, and market pharmaceutical products across the world. Most which are branded generic drugs used for skin diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, eye health, and neurology.