Does Kerendia (Finerenone) Cause Weight Gain? Plus, 5 More Kerendia FAQs to Know About
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diltiazem
Used for Angina, Atrial Fibrillation, PSVT
Used for Angina, Atrial Fibrillation, PSVT
Diltiazem (Cardizem) works well to treat chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart. Unlike its extended-release counterpart that's taken once a day, diltiazem (Cardizem) is taken four times a day. Common side effects of diltiazem (Cardizem) include swelling in the legs, dizziness, and tiredness.
What is Diltiazem (Cardizem)?
What is Diltiazem (Cardizem) used for?
- New chest pain
- Long-term chest pain
How Diltiazem (Cardizem) works
Diltiazem (Cardizem) is a calcium channel blocker that slows your heart rate and relaxes your blood vessels. This gets more oxygen to the heart so it doesn't have to work as hard to pump, which relieves chest pain.
When does Diltiazem (Cardizem) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Cardizem |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Calcium channel blocker (CCB) |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Diltiazem (Cardizem)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Swelling in the legs and feet (2%)
- Headache (2%)
- Nausea (2%)
- Dizziness (2%)
- Weakness (1%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Rash
- Stomach upset
- Dry mouth
- Nervousness
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Diltiazem (Cardizem) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Worsening heart problems: sudden weight gain, swelling in the feet or ankles, pain in the abdomen, or shortness of breath not related to exercise
- Severe liver problems: yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stool, dark urine
- Serious skin reaction: fever, sore throat, irritated eyes, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling
When do Diltiazem (Cardizem) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Swelling in legs and feet
Headache
Dizziness
Weakness
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
The following Diltiazem (Cardizem) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Body aches or pain
congestion
dryness or soreness of the throat
hoarseness
tender or swollen glands in the neck
trouble swallowing
voice changes
Less common
Chest pain or discomfort
chills
difficult or labored breathing
feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
feeling of warmth or heat
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
general feeling of discomfort or illness
headache
joint pain
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
shivering
slow or irregular heartbeat
sweating
swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
tightness in the chest
trouble sleeping
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
Incidence not known
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
no heartbeat
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
red, irritated eyes
sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
degenerative disease of the joint
difficulty with moving
hearing loss
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
muscle aching or cramping
muscle pains or stiffness
pain or tenderness around the eyes and cheekbones
rash
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swollen joints
Incidence not known
Hair loss or thinning of the hair
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$13.030
GoodRx discount
$13.03
Pros and cons of Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Pros
- Prevents heart-related chest pain (angina) if you take it regularly
- Can crush and chew tablets
- Available as a lower-cost generic option
Cons
- Need to take four times a day
- Don't take with alcohol
- Not for people with certain types of heart failure
Pharmacist tips for Diltiazem (Cardizem)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem) can cause dizziness or fatigue when you first start taking it or when your provider raises your dose. Hold onto something sturdy so that you don't fall when standing up from a seated or lying down position.
- Since diltiazem (Cardizem) wears off quickly, take it throughout the day at the same times each day. A good way to remember to take it is to take it before meals (e.g., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and before bedtime.
- You can crush or chew diltiazem (Cardizem) tablets. Make sure, however, that you're actually taking diltiazem (Cardizem) and not the extended-release version of this medication. The extended-release version must be swallowed whole.
- Tell your provider and pharmacist about all of the medications that you're taking. Diltiazem (Cardizem) may interact with other medications such as statins (for cholesterol) and blood pressure medications.
Risks and warnings for Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Diltiazem (Cardizem) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Heart rhythm problems
- Risk factors: Taking digoxin or beta-blockers at the same time
Rarely, diltiazem (Cardizem) can cause heart rhythm problems. Sometimes, this can lead to abnormally slow heart rate. Your risk of this side effect is higher if you're taking certain medications, such as digoxin or beta-blockers. Let your provider know if you feel weak or lightheaded, these might be symptoms of heart-related problems.
Risk of low blood pressure
Diltiazem (Cardizem) can cause low blood pressure, especially if you're already taking blood pressure medications. Let your provider know right away if you experience symptoms of low blood pressure, such as dizziness, weakness, confusion, and blurry vision.
Liver problems
- Risk factors: History of liver disease
Though very rare, there have been reports of people who developed liver injury within the first 2 weeks of taking diltiazem (Cardizem). Often times, this liver damage was mild and went away on its own in 1-2 months after their provider stopped the medication. If this happens, your provider will likely monitor your liver health with blood tests.
Diltiazem (Cardizem) dosage
The average cost for 90 tablets of 30mg of Diltiazem (Cardizem) is $13.03 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 0.00% off the average retail price of $13.03. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30mg | 90 tablets | $13.03 | $0.14 |
| 60mg | 90 tablets | $13.24 | $0.15 |
| 90mg | 90 tablets | $20.95 | $0.23 |
| 120mg | 90 tablets | $13.11 | $0.15 |
Typical dosage for Diltiazem (Cardizem)
The typical starting dose is 30 mg by mouth 4 times a day before meals and at bedtime. If needed, your provider will raise your dose slowly over time. The typical daily dose ranges from 180 mg to 360 mg, divided into 3 to 4 equal doses, and taken throughout the day.
Interactions between Diltiazem (Cardizem) and other drugs
Diltiazem (Cardizem) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Diltiazem (Cardizem). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Cisapride
- Colchicine
- Eliglustat
- Flibanserin
- Lomitapide
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Abametapir
- Acalabrutinib
- Acebutolol
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Alprenolol
- Amiodarone
- Aprepitant
- Atazanavir
- Atenolol
- Atorvastatin
- Avapritinib
- Benzhydrocodone
- Betaxolol
- Bevantolol
- Bisoprolol
- Bosutinib
- Brexpiprazole
- Brigatinib
- Bucindolol
- Buprenorphine
- Carbamazepine
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Ceritinib
- Cilostazol
- Clarithromycin
- Clonidine
- Clopidogrel
- Clozapine
- Cobimetinib
- Codeine
- Conivaptan
- Crizotinib
- Cyclosporine
- Dantrolene
- Deflazacort
- Digoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Dilevalol
- Domperidone
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Dronedarone
- Droperidol
- Elexacaftor
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Epirubicin
- Eplerenone
- Erythromycin
- Esmolol
- Fentanyl
- Fingolimod
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosnetupitant
- Hydrocodone
- Ibrutinib
- Ifosfamide
- Ivabradine
- Ivacaftor
- Ivosidenib
- Labetalol
- Lacosamide
- Lemborexant
- Levobunolol
- Lovastatin
- Lumateperone
- Lurasidone
- Lurbinectedin
- Meperidine
- Mepindolol
- Methadone
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nadolol
- Naloxegol
- Nebivolol
- Netupitant
- Nilotinib
- Olaparib
- Oxprenolol
- Oxycodone
- Pemigatinib
- Penbutolol
- Pentazocine
- Pexidartinib
- Pindolol
- Piperaquine
- Pixantrone
- Ponesimod
- Propranolol
- Ranolazine
- Rimegepant
- Selpercatinib
- Selumetinib
- Simeprevir
- Simvastatin
- Siponimod
- Sonidegib
- Sotalol
- St John's Wort
- Sufentanil
- Tacrolimus
- Talinolol
- Tazemetostat
- Tertatolol
- Tezacaftor
- Timolol
- Tolvaptan
- Tramadol
- Ubrogepant
- Venetoclax
- Voclosporin
- Zanubrutinib
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfuzosin
- Apixaban
- Buspirone
- Cimetidine
- Colestipol
- Dalfopristin
- Digitoxin
- Dutasteride
- Efavirenz
- Enflurane
- Fosphenytoin
- Guggul
- Indinavir
- Lithium
- Methylprednisolone
- Midazolam
- Moricizine
- Nevirapine
- Phenytoin
- Quinupristin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Rivaroxaban
- Sirolimus
- Suvorexant
- Triazolam
How much does Diltiazem (Cardizem) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Diltiazem (Cardizem) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Diltiazem (Cardizem) will not be safe for you to take.
- Sick sinus syndrome (except if you have a ventricular pacemaker)
- Second- or third-degree AV block (except if you have a ventricular pacemaker)
- Uncontrolled hypotension (less than 90 mm Hg systolic)
- Active myocardial infarction and pulmonary (lungs) congestion
What are alternatives to Diltiazem (Cardizem)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Diltiazem (Cardizem). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Diltiazem (Cardizem)
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Diltiazem (Cardizem) images
