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.
