Diltiazem Hydrochloride 60 Mg

Diltiazem 60mg tablet is used to prevent chest pain (angina). It may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease how often you may get angina attacks. Diltiazem is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels in the body and heart and lowers the heart rate. Blood can flow more easily and your heart works less hard to pump blood. In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium (salt). Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet. Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

Take before meals and at bedtime You may swallow whole, crush, or chew the 30 milligrams (mg), 60 mg, 90 mg, or 120 mg tablet. Do not split the 30 mg tablet. Do not open, crush, or chew it. It is best to take the extended-release capsule on an empty stomach.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Body aches or pain, congestion, cough, dryness or soreness of the throat, fever, hoarseness, runny nose, tender or swollen glands in the neck, trouble swallowing, voice changes.

Avoid use of this drug during pregnancy and prescribe an alternative. Evidence has demonstrated fetal abnormalities or risks when used during pregnancy. Evidence experts has demonstrated harmful infant effects when used during breastfeeding.

"Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a serious liver problem. Serious skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis) can occur with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away Patient should avoid activities requiring coordination until drug effects are realized, as drug may cause dizziness. Patient should not drink alcohol while taking this drug.

Product Information: CARDIZEM(R) LA oral extended release tablet, diltiazem hydrochloride oral extended release tablet. Biovail Pharmaceuticals, Inc , Bridgewater, NJ, 2004. Product Information: DILTIA XT(TM) oral extended-release capsule, diltiazem hydrochloride oral extended-release capsule. Andrx Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 2003.

Diltiazem hydrochloride is a slow calcium channel blocker that blocks calcium ion influx during depolarization of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle. It decreases peripheral vascular resistance and causes relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle resulting in a decrease of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Cardiovascular Agent.