Diltiazem Hydrochloride (120mg): Uses, Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects & Precautions
Diltiazem Hydrochloride (120mg) is commonly prescribed for conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension), angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart), and certain heart-rate abnormalities, depending on the patient's clinical condition.
Diltiazem relaxes blood vessels and also slows conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node of the heart. These effects can reduce the workload of the heart and improve coronary blood flow.
DILTIAZONE SR 120 should be used only according to a healthcare professional's prescription. The appropriate dose depends on the indication, age, cardiovascular status, kidney and liver function, and response to treatment.
Why it's important
High blood pressure and cardiovascular disorders may not always cause noticeable symptoms, but uncontrolled disease can increase the risk of serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems.
Diltiazem helps manage these conditions by reducing calcium entry into cardiac and vascular smooth-muscle cells. This can produce vasodilation, reduced cardiac workload, and controlled heart-rate conduction.
For patients prescribed sustained-release diltiazem, consistent use is important. It should not be stopped suddenly without medical advice, particularly when it is being used for angina or heart-rate control.
Key Benefits
What are the benefits?
When appropriately prescribed, potential therapeutic benefits include:
- Helps lower elevated blood pressure.
- Relaxes blood vessels and reduces vascular resistance.
- Helps prevent and control angina symptoms.
- Can reduce the workload placed on the heart.
- May help control certain rapid heart rhythms.
- Slows conduction through the AV node.
- Sustained-release formulations can provide prolonged therapeutic activity.
The benefits depend on the specific cardiovascular condition being treated. Diltiazem is not appropriate for every type of heart rhythm disorder or chest pain.
Side Effects
Some people taking DILTIAZONE SR 120 may experience side effects. Commonly reported effects can include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Swelling of the ankles or feet
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
Dizziness may be more noticeable when beginning treatment or when the dose is changed. Patients should be careful when standing up quickly and should understand how the medicine affects them before driving or operating machinery.
If side effects persist or become troublesome, consult the prescribing healthcare professional.
Serious Side Effects
Serious adverse reactions are uncommon but can include markedly slow heart rate, very low blood pressure, worsening heart failure, conduction abnormalities, or severe allergic reactions.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:
- Fainting or severe dizziness
- Severe breathing difficulty
- New or worsening chest pain
- Significant swelling or sudden weight gain
- Very slow or irregular heartbeat
- Facial, lip, or throat swelling
Patients with pre-existing heart conduction problems may require additional monitoring.
Available Substitute
There is no universal substitute for DILTIAZONE SR 120. The appropriate alternative depends on the condition being treated.
Depending on the clinical indication, healthcare professionals may consider other calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine, verapamil, or other appropriate cardiovascular medicines. However, these medicines do not have identical pharmacological effects and should not be substituted automatically.
For heart-rate control or angina, the choice of treatment depends on the patient's cardiovascular status and other medicines.
Always consult a doctor or pharmacist before switching from diltiazem to another medicine.
Dosage Guidelines
Take DILTIAZONE SR 120 exactly as prescribed.
The dosage varies according to the condition being treated and the patient's response. Sustained-release formulations are generally intended to release the medicine gradually over an extended period.
Swallow the tablet whole with water unless the specific product instructions state otherwise. Do not crush or chew a sustained-release tablet, as doing so may alter drug release.
If you miss a dose, take it when remembered unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses together to compensate for a missed dose.
Do not independently increase, decrease, or discontinue the medicine.
Precautions & Warnings
Before using DILTIAZONE SR 120, inform your healthcare professional if you have:
- Low blood pressure
- A slow heart rate
- Heart block or other conduction abnormalities
- Heart failure
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- A history of significant cardiovascular problems
- Previous adverse reactions to calcium channel blockers
Diltiazem can interact with several medicines. Inform your doctor about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and supplements you take.
Particular caution may be required when diltiazem is combined with medicines that slow the heart rate, including certain beta-blockers, or medicines that affect cardiac conduction.
Diltiazem can also interact with medicines metabolized through certain liver enzyme pathways, so a complete medication review is important.
How to Use
Take DILTIAZONE SR 120 according to your prescription and at approximately the same time each day if instructed.
Swallow the sustained-release formulation whole with water. Do not alter the tablet unless the product-specific instructions explicitly allow it.
For hypertension, continue lifestyle measures recommended by your healthcare professional, such as maintaining an appropriate diet, regular physical activity, limiting excessive sodium intake, and monitoring blood pressure.
For angina, remember that prescribed preventive treatment and emergency treatment serve different purposes. Follow your doctor's instructions regarding what to do if chest pain occurs.
Mechanism of Action
Diltiazem is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.
It inhibits the movement of calcium ions through L-type calcium channels in cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle.
In blood vessels, reduced calcium entry causes smooth-muscle relaxation and vasodilation. This lowers peripheral vascular resistance and can reduce blood pressure and cardiac workload.
In the heart, diltiazem slows conduction through the sinoatrial (SA) and atrioventricular (AV) nodes and can reduce heart rate. This makes it useful for controlling certain supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Diltiazem also increases coronary blood flow by relaxing coronary arteries, which can help reduce the oxygen demand and supply imbalance responsible for angina.
Its combined vascular and cardiac effects explain its clinical use in hypertension, angina, and selected heart-rate disorders.
Conclusion
Diltiazem Hydrochloride (120mg), marketed as DILTIAZONE SR 120 by Steris Healthcare, is a sustained-release calcium channel blocker used for selected cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension, angina, and certain abnormal heart rhythms. By blocking L-type calcium channels, it relaxes blood vessels, reduces cardiac workload, and slows AV-node conduction.
For safe and effective treatment, take DILTIAZONE SR 120 exactly as prescribed and do not crush or chew a sustained-release formulation unless specifically instructed. Patients with low blood pressure, slow heart rate, conduction abnormalities, heart failure, kidney or liver disease should inform their healthcare professional before treatment. Because diltiazem can interact with several cardiovascular and other medicines, medication review is important before starting therapy.
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