Cardizem Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment

Cardizem (diltiazem) is a medicine classified as a calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blockers (also called calcium antagonists) are non-habit-forming medications used to treat Primary Pulmonary Hypertension. They are designed to prevent the entry of calcium ions into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, thereby causing these vessels to widen and relax. As a result blood pressure is lowered and circulation is improved. Although there are many vasodilators (drugs that relax blood vessels) used to treat PPH, calcium channel blockers have been the most widely tested, and seem to be more effective than other vasodilators. Nevertheless, they are only 20% effective in adults and 40% effective in children. An FDA approved drug called Flolan may help critically ill patients who do not respond to treatment with calcium channel blockers such as cardizem (diliazem). Generally, only tests performed during a heart catheterization can determine definatively whether or not calcium channel blocker treatment is the right treatment for you.

Cardizem controls Primary pulmonary hypertension and angina (chest pain related to pulmonary hypertension). It is also used in the treatment of angina pectoris (chest pain caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart) and chronic stable angina (caused by exertion). Doctors sometimes prescribe it for loss of circulation in appendages (Raynaud's phenomenon), for involuntary movements (tardive dyskinesia), and to prevent heart attack.

The dose prescribed for Cardizem (diltiazem) varies patient to patient and the patient must follow their doctor's orders with regard to dosage. A typical adult dosage for diltiazem, taken in a long-acting oral form (extended-release capsules) for assuaging high blood pressure is 180 to 240 milligrams a day for Cardizem CD, and 60 to 120 milligrams, two times a day for Cadizem SR. The typical adult dosage for the regular (short acting) tablets is 30 milligrams, three or four times a day. If a patient's dose is different, he or she should absolutely not change it based on these doses. The purpose of including these doses is simply to give amlodipine users a sense of what dosages are typically prescribed.

If patient's experience any of the following serious side effects, they should stop taking Cardizem and call their doctor's immediately: 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.

Generally Cardizem does not cause many side effects. In clinical studies with Cardizem, the most common side effects, seen in approximately 5% of patients, have been headache, dizziness, slow heart rate, heartbeat irregularities, and swelling of the ankles. If any side effects develop or change in intensity, while a patient is using Cardizem they are advised to inform their doctor as soon as possible.

 

Before taking Cardizem, patients should tell their doctors if they are allergic to any other drugs. They should tell their doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications they are taking, especially heart and blood pressure medications such as beta-blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), and diuretics (water pills); carbamazepine (Tegretol); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); fentanyl (Duragesic); medications to treat depression; medications to treat glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye); theophylline; and vitamins. They should also inform their doctors of any previous or current, heart, liver, or kidney condition. The doctor should also be made aware of whether or not the patient is pregnant, plans to become pregnant, or is breast-feeding.

Because of Cardizem affect of increasing blood flow, patients who are having surgery, including dental surgery, must inform their doctor or dentist that they are taking the medication. Cardizem is designed to help alleviate chest pains (angina) and other symptoms related to PPH, if patients experience more frequent or more severe chest pain, they should contact their doctor's immediately.



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