Cardizem CD 240mg (Diltiazem)

Cardizem general information

What is Cardizem used for?

Cardizem capsules 240mg are used to treat hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest. Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardizem CD capsules reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack, by lowering blood pressure to normal resting levels. Cardizem CD can be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications such as diuretics. Cardizem capsules 240mg are also used to treat chronic stable angina, to prevent symptoms like chest pain and to prevent heart attack; also to treat angina due to coronary artery spasm, which is an acute angina attack which can occur at rest.

How does Cardizem work?

Cardizem capsules 240mg contain diltiazem, which is a calcium channel blocker that inhibits the inflow of calcium ions across specific calcium channels in the cell membrane into smooth muscle cells of the heart (myocardium) and blood vessel walls (only arteries). Calcium is needed for smooth muscle cells to contract, so by blocking calcium channels, smooth muscle cells contraction is prevented. Diltiazem in Cardizem capsules 240mg blocks calcium channels in smooth muscle cells, allowing peripheral arteries to relax and widen (vasodilation) and this reduces the workload on the heart, the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body (negative inotropic effect), increases oxygen supply to the heart, and decreases blood pressure. Cardizem capsules CD also causes widening of the main arteries of the heart, increasing the oxygen supply to the heart and, as the heart workload is reduced, the demand for oxygen is also reduced, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.

What does Cardizem contain?

Cardizem capsules 240mg contain the active ingredient diltiazem hydrochloride, a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension and angina, formulated for slow release over a 24 hours period. They also contain fumaric acid, purified talc, non-pareil seeds (sucrose), colloidal silica, white beeswax, ethylcellulose, castor oil, stearic acid, methacrylic acid copolymers, tributyl acetylcitrate, simethicone, gelatin, Brilliant Blue FCF CI 42090 and titanium dioxide.

What doses of Cardizem are available?

Cardizem CD capsules are available online form Inhouse Pharmacy in 3 doses:

• 120mg CDcapsule
• 180mg CD capsules
• 240mg CD capsules

Treating hypertension (high blood pressure) with Cardizem

Cardizem capsules 240mg contain diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker used to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension (high blood pressure at rest), who are at risk of cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure, although there are usually no other symptoms. Cardizem capsules 240mg can either be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs such as diuretics. Diltiazem in Cardizem CD capsules 240mg blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and peripheral arteries to widen. This action reduces the workload on the heart, which is the force needed for the heart to pump blood around the body, as measured by blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure Cardizem capsules 240mg help reduce risk of cardiovascular disease including stroke and heart attack.

Treating angina with Cardizem

Cardizem capsules 240mg contain diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker used to treat chronic stable angina and angina due to coronary artery spasm, which is an acute angina attack that can occur at rest. Diltiazem in Cardizem CD capsules 240mg blocks the inflow of calcium ions, needed for contraction, into smooth muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls (only arteries), which causes blood vessel walls to relax and peripheral arteries to widen. Cardizem capsules 240mg reduces the workload on the heart and its demand for oxygen, while at the same time increasing oxygen supply to the heart, which prevents chest pain symptoms of angina caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle.

What are the side effects of Cardizem?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Cardizem capsules 240mg include: headache, dizziness, flushing, bradycardia (slow heart rate), gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, gastric pain) oedema (swelling of the ankles, feet, face or hands), flushing, palpitations, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness.

When should Cardizem not be used?

You should not use Cardizem capsules 240mg if you:

• are allergic to diltiazem, other calcium channel blockers or any ingredients in Cardizem capsules
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have certain types of abnormal heart rhythm like sick sinus syndrome
• have heart problems including, congestive heart failure, left ventricular failure or myocardial infarction with pulmonary congestion
• have hypotension (low blood pressure)
• have kidney or liver disease
• are taking medicines that interact with Cardizem, including: the muscle relaxant dantrolene, the antivirals atazanavir and ritonavir, cimetidine and ranitidine for gastric ulcers or reflux, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine, benzodiazepines like diazepam, midazolam and triazolam for depression or anxiety, corticosteroids like methylprednisolone, beta-blockers like propranolol’ digoxin for heart failure, the antiepileptic carbamazepine, ithium for mood disorders, theophylline for asthma, rimonabant for obesity, alpha-blockers for prostate problems, the antiarrhythmic amiodarone, inhalation anaesthetics like halothane, nitrates for heart conditions, statins for high cholesterol like simvastatin

What medications interact with Cardizem?

Several medications interact with Cardizem capsules 240mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Cardizem 240 or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Cardizem: the muscle relaxant dantrolene; lithium for mood disorders; alpha-blockers for prostate problems; the antiarrhythmic amiodarone; nitrates for heart conditions
• Drugs that affect Cardizem: the antivirals atazanavir and ritonavir; cimetidine and ranitidine for gastric ulcers or reflux; benzodiazepines like diazepam
• Drugs that are affected by Cardizem: the immunosuppressant cyclosporine; benzodiazepines like midazolam and triazolam for depression or anxiety; corticosteroids like methylprednisolone; beta-blockers like propranolol, digoxin for heart failure, the antiepileptic carbamazepine; theophylline for asthma; rimonabant for obesity; inhalation anaesthetics like halothane; statins for high cholesterol like simvastatin

How should Cardizem be taken?

You should take your Cardizem capsules 240mg with a glass of water, swallowed whole, once daily, with or without food. The dose you take and for how long should be as recommended by your doctor. If required your doctor may increase your dose.

How long should you take Cardizem?

You should take your Cardizem capsules 240mg for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Cardizem

If you miss a dose of Cardizem capsules 240mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Cardizem be stored?

You should store your Cardizem capsules 240mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.