Diltiazem Side Effects

This medication has been used in the treatment of hypertension, chest pain and irregular heart beats and the diltiazem side effects are to be monitored by the doctor on a regular basis. The medication performs by relaxing the blood vessels such that there is increase in the supply of blood. The heart which used to beat hard earlier will not be straining itself as the muscles are relaxed by the medication.

With the improvement in the supply of blood the oxygen supply too improves significantly. It even regulates the irregular heart beats and gives the much needed relief to the patient.

Calcium channel blockers with a difference

This medication belongs to a class of drugs commonly known in the medical circles as calcium channel blockers. The diltiazem is very effectively treated in cases of hypertension and heart related problems. The drug has serious to less serious side effects and it must be treated according to the symptoms on the patient.

The method of treatment is the same as with other drugs of this class and the medication dosage is taken by mouth. It controls chest pain if taken regularly yet cannot stop the chest pain once it starts. For this the doctor would have to give other drugs that go well with it such that the patient can relax.

Diltiazem side effects are a source of trouble and however mild to moderate they may be the doctor is the best person for advice. Under no circumstance should the patient take the drug as a self medication treatment. The doctor obviously must be told about the allergy caused to the patient once he or she starts to take it.

The doctor must also be apprised of the prescription and non prescription drugs which the patient has taken for treating other illness. The medication comes in the form of a tablet and a capsule which is taken as per the doctor’s advice.

Merits and demerits of the medicine

The medicine functions in a very systematic way in the human body system. First, the drug blocks the entry of calcium into the muscle cells that together makes up the heart. It also does so those muscles that surround the arteries. The usual problem is that it is the entry of calcium into these cells that actually causes the cells to contract. The heart then pumps blood into the narrowed arteries and this is the cause of the symptoms of a heart failure as it cannot work harder and at some point gives up.

Diltiazem side effects are of no consequence when compared to the problem a blocked artery can cause to the patient. The drug immediately goes into action and decreases the rate and the force of contraction of the heart and also the muscles surrounding the arteries. This widens and the blood flow becomes smooth and so also the life giving oxygen supply. Consequent to this action the patient feels that his or her chest pain too has lowered considerably.

Apart from the above action the drug also allows the arteries to relax which in turn makes the heart work less and this again requires less oxygen which in turn lowers the high blood pressure in the patients.

Due to the several different functions of the heart and the surrounding arteries and the muscles the positive effect of the medicine may give rise to some side effects. The tablets are taken 3 to 4 times a day while the capsule is taken 1 to 2 times a day.

The tablets or capsules should not be chewed or crushed as this may reduce the affect of the medication. In case of allergies to the drug or other medicines which the patient may be taking then the doctor may stop the medication altogether as this can lead to serious side effects.

Listing the main Diltiazem side effects

In a previous post, I have talked about the various carvedilol side effects. For Diltiazem, the doctor must be told about symptoms immediately and this may arise out of any previous blockage of the digestive system that causes the food to move through the digestive system slowly. The patient must report about his or her low blood pressure, heart problems and kidney disease. In case of woman the doctor must be told if she is pregnant or is breast feeding her infant as both the cases can create complications and harm the child.

Some people have experienced hives, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. There can also be pain in the upper part of the stomach, itching and loss of appetite. Severe skin reactions that are seen and burning in the eyes may indicate that it is a serious matter. The same is the case with the patient experiencing sudden fainting, or when the heart starts to beat unusually fast in a pounding way then the doctor must be consulted and in many cases this has lead to hospitalization.

There are also less serious side effects and this can be determined only by a doctor and if it has not prolonged for a period of time. These could be headaches, dizziness, nausea, sore throat and cough. The diltiazem side effects are however not limited to these as there can be more and they vary from person to person.

In the next post, I will be talking about the florastor side effects.