Description of Cardizem SR

Cardizem SR has Diltiazem as its active ingredient, and it belongs to the class of calcium channel blockers. You can buy Cardizem SR in the form of 12-hour sustained release capsules available in 60, 90 and 120mg strengths. Other inactive ingredients present in Cardizem SR 60mg ivory-brown, 90mg gold-brown and 120mg caramel-brown capsules include cornstarch, gelatin, fumaric acid, povidone, shellac, talc, sucrose and titanium dioxide. These capsules are gluten, bisulfites and tartrazine free.

Indications & Dosage of Cardizem SR

Cardizem SR capsules are used for treating high blood pressure in hypertensive patients. This helps in preventing kidney problems, heart attacks or strokes due to high blood pressure. The medicine works by relaxing the patient’s blood vessels, so that blood can flow through them more easily and the heart’s job to pump it is made easier. In some cases, Cardizem SR can also be used for preventing chest pain or angina, and decreasing the severity and frequency of angina episodes.

Cardizem SR capsules are available in 60, 90 and 120mg strengths. Since these are 12-hour sustained release capsules, you will have to take them two times in 24 hours. The one prescribed to you depends on your medical condition, the severity of your high blood pressure, and your response to the treatment.

You can take the capsules with or without meals. Swallow them whole, without opening, chewing or crushing them. The treatment will usually start with a low dose. Depending on your response to the drug, it can be increased gradually. Try to take the capsules at almost the same time every day. If you are using this medicine for angina, you must remember that it cannot treat an angina attack that has already begun.

Side Effects & Interactions of Cardizem SR

Some common side effects associated with Cardizem SR include dizziness, lightheadedness, flushing, headache, slow heartbeat, excessive tiredness, stomach upset, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, dry mouth or insomnia. Although these are mild side effects of the drug, you should seek medical attention immediately if any of these do not go away within a few days or become severe. Some serious side effects of the drug include:

• Swelling on legs, arms, tongue, lips, eyes or face
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Fainting
• Skin rash
• Fever
• Yellowing of eyes or skin
• Increase in severity or frequency of angina

Before you buy Cardizem SR, inform your doctor if you are already using drugs such as digoxin or amiodarone. Medicines such as azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, rifamycin, cimetidine, St. John’s wort, atazanavir or quinidine may affect the way Diltiazem is removed from the patient’s body. Diltiazem may also affect the way how anti-seizure drugs, benzodiazepines, statins, sirolimus, cyclosporine or busiprone is removed from your body.

Some NSAIDs, diet aids or cough and cold products may contain certain ingredients that may increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Therefore, inform your doctor beforehand if you are using any of these drugs.

Warnings & Precautions of Cardizem SR

Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a heart rhythm problem, liver or kidney disease or heart failure. Breastfeeding mothers should also use this medicine with caution, as it may pass into breast milk and harm the nursing infant.