Diltzac
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Questions & Answers
Side Effects & Adverse Reactions
Diltiazem hydrochloride prolongs AV node refractory periods without significantly prolonging sinus node recovery time, except in patients with sick sinus syndrome. This effect may rarely result in abnormally slow heart rates (particularly in patients with sick sinus syndrome) or second- or third-degree AV block (13 of 3007 patients or 0.43%). Concomitant use of diltiazem with beta-blockers or digitalis may result in additive effects on cardiac conduction. A patient with Prinzmetal's angina developed periods of asystole (2 to 5 seconds) after a single dose of 60 mg of diltiazem.
Although diltiazem has a negative inotropic effect in isolated animal tissue preparations, hemodynamic studies in humans with normal ventricular function have not shown a reduction in cardiac index nor consistent negative effects on contractility (dp/dt). An acute study of oral diltiazem in patients with impaired ventricular function (ejection fraction 24% ± 6%) showed improvement in indices of ventricular function without significant decrease in contractile function (dp/dt). Worsening of congestive heart failure has been reported in patients with preexisting impairment of ventricular function. Experience with the use of diltiazem hydrochloride in combination with beta-blockers in patients with impaired ventricular function is limited. Caution should be exercised when using this combination.
Decreases in blood pressure associated with diltiazem hydrochloride therapy may occasionally result in symptomatic hypotension.
Mild elevations of transaminases with and without concomitant elevation in alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin have been observed in clinical studies. Such elevations were usually transient and frequently resolved even with continued diltiazem treatment. In rare instances, significant elevations in enzymes such as alkaline phosphatase, LDH, SGOT, and SGPT, and other phenomena consistent with acute hepatic injury have been noted. These reactions tended to occur early after therapy initiation (1 to 8 weeks) and have been reversible upon discontinuation of drug therapy. The relationship to diltiazem hydrochloride is uncertain in some cases, but probable in some (see PRECAUTIONS).
Legal Issues
There is currently no legal information available for this drug.
FDA Safety Alerts
There are currently no FDA safety alerts available for this drug.
Manufacturer Warnings
There is currently no manufacturer warning information available for this drug.
FDA Labeling Changes
There are currently no FDA labeling changes available for this drug.
Uses
DILTZAC (Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP) (Once-a-day dosage) is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.
DILTZAC (Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP) (Once-a-day dosage) is indicated for the treatment of chronic stable angina.
History
There is currently no drug history available for this drug.
Other Information
Diltiazem hydrochloride is a calcium ion cellular influx inhibitor (slow channel blocker). Chemically, diltiazem hydrochloride is 1,5-benzothiazepin-4(5H)-one,3-(acetyloxy)-5[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-2,-3-dihydro-2(4-methoxyphenyl)-, monohydrochloride, (+)-cis. The chemical structure is:
Diltiazem hydrochloride is a white to off-white crystalline powder with a bitter taste. It is soluble in water, methanol and chloroform and has a molecular weight of 450.98.
DILTZAC (Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP) (Once-a-day dosage) contain diltiazem hydrochloride in extended release pellets at doses of 120, 180, 240, 300 and 360 mg. In addition, each capsule also contains the following inactive ingredients: carboxymethylcellulose sodium, eudragit, methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and talc. Each capsule shell contains gelatin and titanium dioxide. The 120 mg, 240 mg, and 300 mg capsule shells contain FD&C Blue #1 and FD&C Red #3; the 180 mg, 240 mg, and 360 mg capsule shells contain FD&C Green #3. The capsule imprinting ink contains ammonium hydroxide, black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol and shellac.
For oral administration.
DILTZAC (Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP) (Once-a-day dosage) complies with USP Drug Release Test #6.
Sources
Diltzac Manufacturers
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Apotex Corp.
![Diltzac (Diltiazem Hydrochloride) Capsule, Extended Release [Apotex Corp.]](/wp-content/themes/bootstrap/assets/img/loading2.gif)
Diltzac | Apotex Corp.
HypertensionDosage needs to be adjusted by titration to individual patient needs. When used as monotherapy, usual starting doses are 120 to 240 mg once daily. Maximum antihypertensive effect is usually observed by 14 days of chronic therapy; therefore, dosage adjustments should be scheduled accordingly. The usual dosage range studied in clinical trials was 120 to 540 mg once daily. Current clinical experience with 540 mg dose is limited; however, the dose may be increased to 540 mg once daily.
AnginaDosages for the treatment of angina should be adjusted to each patient's needs, starting with a dose of 120 mg to 180 mg once daily. Individual patients may respond to higher doses of up to 540 mg once daily. When necessary, titration should be carried out over 7 to 14 days.
Concomitant use with Other Cardiovascular Agents Sublingual Nitroglycerin (NTG): May be taken as required to abort acute anginal attacks during diltiazem hydrochloride therapy. Prophylactic Nitrate Therapy: Diltiazem hydrochloride may be safely coadministered with short- and long-acting nitrates. Beta-blockers: (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS). Antihypertensives - Diltiazem hydrochloride has an additive antihypertensive effect when used with other antihypertensive agents. Therefore, the dosage of diltiazem hydrochloride or the concomitant antihypertensives may need to be adjusted when adding one to the other.Hypertensive or anginal patients who are treated with other formulations of diltiazem can safely be switched to DILTZAC (Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP) (Once-a-day dosage) at the nearest equivalent total daily dose. Subsequent titration to higher or lower doses may, however, be necessary and should be initiated as clinically indicated.
Sprinkling the Capsule Contents on FoodDILTZAC (Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP) (Once-a-day dosage) may also be administered by carefully opening the capsule and sprinkling the capsule contents on a spoonful of applesauce. The applesauce should be swallowed immediately without chewing and followed with a glass of cool water to ensure complete swallowing of the capsule contents. The applesauce should not be hot, and it should be soft enough to be swallowed without chewing. Any capsule contents/applesauce mixture should be used immediately and not stored for future use. Subdividing the contents of a DILTZAC (Diltiazem Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, USP) (Once-a-day dosage) is not recommended.
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