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What is Cardizem
 Cardizem
is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Cardizem
relaxes (widens) your blood vessels (veins and arteries),
which makes it easier for your heart to pump and reduces the
workload on it.
Cardizem
is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), to treat
angina (chest pain), and to slow unusually fast heartbeats.
Cardizem
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Cardizem
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Cardizem may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Do not stop taking
this medication without first talking to your doctor. If
you stop taking your medication, your condition could become
worse.
Follow any diet or exercise recommendations
for your condition.
Do not open, break, crush, or
chew any extended-release forms of Cardizem such as Cardizem
CD, Cardizem LA, Cardizem SR, Diltia XT, or Dilacor XR.
Swallow them whole.
What you should find out before taking
Cardizem
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- ever had an allergic reaction to any form
of Cardizem in the past;
- kidney disease;
-
liver disease; or
- other diseases of the heart or
blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis,
congestive heart failure, heart block, low blood pressure,
or coronary artery disease.
You may not be able to
take Cardizem, or you may require a dosage adjustment or
special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above.
Cardizem is in the FDA pregnancy
category C. This means that it is not known whether Cardizem
will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Cardizem
without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant
or could become pregnant during treatment.
Cardizem
passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant.
Do not take Cardizem without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Cardizem Take Cardizem exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Do not open, break,
crush, or chew any extended-release forms of Cardizem such
as Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Cardizem SR, Diltia XT, or
Dilacor XR. Swallow them whole.
If swallowing is
difficult, the Tiazac capsules may be opened and the contents
sprinkled onto a spoonful of applesauce. The applesauce
should be swallowed immediately, without chewing, and followed
with a glass of water to ensure complete swallowing of the
capsule contents. The applesauce should not be hot and should
be soft enough to enable swallowing without chewing. The
mixture must be consumed immediately and not stored for
later use.
Dilacor XR and Diltia XT should be taken
in the morning on an empty stomach.
It is important
to take Cardizem regularly to get the most benefit.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking
to your doctor. If you stop taking the medication, your
condition could become worse.
Your doctor may want
you to have blood tests, blood pressure monitoring, or other
medical evaluations during treatment with Cardizem to monitor
progress and side effects.
Store Cardizem at room
temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Cardizem overdose include dizziness, weakness, chest
pain, shortness of breath, fainting, an unusually fast or
slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.
Avoid while taking Cardizem Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Cardizem may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously.
Alcohol may further lower blood pressure and increase drowsiness
and dizziness while taking Cardizem.
Follow any recommendations
your doctor makes about diet or exercise.
Possible side effects of Cardizem If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Cardizem and contact your doctor immediately
or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- unusually
fast or slow heartbeats;
- severe dizziness or fainting;
- abnormal behavior or psychosis;
- jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- swelling of
the legs or ankles.
Other, less serious side effects
may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Cardizem and
talk to your doctor if you experience
- fatigue or
tiredness;
- headache;
- flushing (redness);
- insomnia and vivid dreams;
- nausea, diarrhea,
or constipation;
- difficulty urinating;
-
numbness; or
- a rash.
Side effects other
than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Cardizem Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if
you are taking any of the following medicines:
-
other medicines to treat the same or another heart condition;
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral);
- cimetidine
(Tagamet, Tagamet HB);
- carbamazepine (Tegretol);
- digoxin (Lanoxin);
- midazolam (Versed)
or triazolam (Halcion); or
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
or rifabutin (Mycobutin).
You may not be able to
take Cardizem, or you may require a dosage adjustment if
you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Cardizem
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
