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Compare Cardizem vs. Pacerone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Diltiazem (Cardizem) and amiodarone (Pacerone) are both used to treat heart conditions, but they work in different ways and are used for different purposes. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that helps with chest pain by slowing your heart rate and relaxing blood vessels. It's taken multiple times a day and can cause dizziness and swelling in the legs. On the other hand, amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic used for life-threatening heart rhythm problems. It works by blocking various receptors and channels in your heart to maintain a normal rhythm. Amiodarone has to be started in the hospital and can cause serious side effects like lung and liver damage, and vision problems. While both medications are available in generic forms, amiodarone stays in your body for many weeks, which means its side effects can last a long time. Diltiazem is generally taken more frequently throughout the day, whereas amiodarone is often taken once or twice daily after the initial hospital phase.

  • Diltiazem (Cardizem)
    Amiodarone (Pacerone)
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem)
    Amiodarone (Pacerone)

  • Summary of Cardizem vs. Pacerone

    Summary for Calcium channel blocker (CCB)
    Prescription only

    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.

    Summary for Antiarrhythmic
    Prescription only

    Amiodarone (Pacerone) is an antiarrhythmic medication. It's FDA-approved to treat life-threatening ventricular fibrillation and fast heart rate (tachycardia) in adults who either can't take it or whose condition isn't well-controlled by other antiarrhythmics. It's sometimes prescribed off-label for atrial fibrillation (AFib). Amiodarone (Pacerone) comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. The total daily dose can be taken once per day, or split into smaller doses and taken throughout the day to prevent stomach-related side effects, like nausea and vomiting.

  • Indications of Cardizem vs. Pacerone

    Indications for
    •New chest pain
    •Long-term chest pain
    Indications for
    •Life-threatening ventricular fibrillation that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked well)
    •Life-threatening tachycardia that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked)

  • Pros and Cons of Cardizem vs. Pacerone

    Pros and Const for Calcium channel blocker (CCB)
    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
    Pros and Const for Antiarrhythmic
    Pros
    •Works well to treat certain heart rate and rhythm problems
    •Can be taken with or without food
    •Can be taken once daily (as long as you're tolerating the medication and the total daily dose is less than 1,000 mg)
    Cons
    •Stays in the body for many weeks
    •Not for people with iodine allergy
    •Only available as a 200 mg tablet, so you might need to take several tablets depending on your dose

  • Common Side Effects of Cardizem vs. Pacerone

    Common Side Effects for
    •Swelling in the legs and feet (2%)
    •Headache (2%)
    •Nausea (2%)
    •Dizziness (2%)
    •Weakness (1%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Constipation
    •Poor appetite
    •Stomach pain
    •More sensitive to the sun
    •Feeling unwell
    •Fatigue
    •Tremor or abnormal movement
    •Poor coordination
    •Difficulty walking
    •Dizziness
    •Pins and needles sensation in the skin
    •Lower sex drive
    •Difficulty sleeping
    •Headache
    •Change in vision
    •Lung inflammation or scarring
    •Flushing
    •Change in taste or smell
    •Excess fluid under the skin (edema)
    •Abnormal saliva production
    •Abnormal blood clotting

  • Warnings of Cardizem vs. Pacerone

    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart rhythm problems
    •Risk of low blood pressure
    •Liver problems
    Common Side Effects for
    •Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)
    •Lung damage
    •Liver damage
    •Vision problems
    •Thyroid problems
    •Slow heartbeat
    •Effects on heart devices
    •Harm to unborn babies
    •Nerve problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Cardizem vs. Pacerone

    Learn more about Diltiazem
    Learn more about Amiodarone

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