What types of diltiazem does everyone take?

[Cynaburst]

So when I go online to look up this drug, there are so many different formulations that my head is swimming. Cardizem, Tiazec, Controlled release, extended release, regular release.

I have no idea which I should be on. We started with the short acting, though that would be 3 - 4 times a day which seems a bit hard to deal with in the long term so hopefully I will switch to something that is only once or twice/day.

What about everyone else?

[LindaSo]

Sorry to say that it depends on the preparation. And of course, your cardiologist will determine which one you should be on. I have been on Diltiazem CD 240BID. They wanted to decrease my dose to 360 QD. There is no generic preparation, per the pharmacist. So, I am now on Cardizem LA (long acting) 360mg QD. Yes, you will want to be switched over once your body has gotten used to your new meds.

L

[Pam Alexson]

I used to take ER for sustained/ extended release and then switched a few years ago to the generic regular release( financial priority) and took it 3 times a day at total of 720 mgs. It did not need dose tweaking when I changed.

Because of the addition of lisinopril I am presently down to 90 mgs 3 times a day. I still get a bit of chest pain but, with all the other drugs it works well and I like it divided out.. and the chest pain is manageable. It seems to go in at a better control then taking it one or 2 times a day as I did with the ER.

I put my meds in a 4 slots med pack and that way they all go in .. remember I have absorption problems in my gut so this works best for me.

[Cynaburst]

So I noticed something that I wanted to run by everyone...

When I filled my prescription for the diltiazem, they were almost out at the drugstore so they advanced me 3 pills and then ordered it. The type that they gave me the first time was different than the type they gave me for the balance of the prescription....different generic manufacturers. The first one was a round white pill while the second was a round orange pill.

In the 3 days I was taking the white pill, I really did not notice any chest pain until the evening. Today, I started the orange pills and I notice more chest pain today than I did the past few days. Is is possible that the various generics have a different formulation that could affect how it works for me?

[rgong]

Cynthia, I think it's entirely possible. Refilled prescriptions of generics, even from the same pharmacy, can be from different manufacturers. While the active ingredients may be the same, the substrates and fillers can be different for different manufacturers, not to mention the quality control (many generics originate from overseas), all of which I'm guessing will affect the way the active ingredient is released. For this reason my doc (Sherrid) prescribes the name brand Toprol for me, after I mentioned I noticed a difference with the generic "Metoprolol extended release". I'm sure others more knowledgeable will weigh in (Gordon?).

Rich

[Cynaburst]

I got them to switch out the little orange pills for white ones, and guess what? I clearly feel much better today. It is amazing. From now on, I am going to either insist on this generic manufacturer, or get the brand. I am still titrating up, so I guess it depends on where I land and who makes what I need.

[JudyA]

When I went to the Cleveland Clinic for my first exam at a Center of Excellence, Dr Lever took me off of the beta blocker I had been on and put me on a calcium channel blocker, namely Cardizem. He firmly insisted that I use only the name brand med- and I did just that, until finances forced me to use generic for awhile. That lasted only for two refills, because I would definately get chest pain on the generic. I currently take 240 mg twice a day and do not have chest pain unless I do something really stupid - like try to move a lot of furniture - something of that nature. I am sold. It really is worth it to me to only use name brand Cardizem.

Take care- JudyA

[hocmdoug]

I don't mean to take this thread too far afield, but does anyone have experience with verapamil as opposed to diltiazem? I'd be interested to know about the differences and similiarities of those two calcium channel blockers.

[Chris_in_shed]

I don't know anything about Verapamil vs Diltiazem, but I tried Amlodapine for a bit (another CCB) but amlopapine did nothing for me where as Verapamil was a great help.

Chris.

[Cynaburst]

So, after 10 days of taking the Cardizem LA 120 mg, I had to quit today as it has been keeping me up at night with tingling sensations all over my body. It is like being hyped up on speed. I have not gotten a decent night's sleep since I moved to the once a day formulation and have been tingling like crazy, not to mention that I noticed increased arrythmias, so today I have gone back to the regular diltiazem 30 mg. 4 times a day and I need to get with the pharmacist and cardiologist to figure out which formulation to try next. I see that Mylan phameceuticals who makes the pill that I best tolerate makes an Extended release pill that I that I can take 60 mg. twice a day.

Any thoughts? Taking a medicine 4 x a day will be a logistic nightmare for me.

[LindaSo]

Cyn, I'm sorry to hear that you're having some issues. I think a chat with the pharmacist is a good plan. Has the chest pain improved with the Cardizem?

[Cynaburst]

Yes, the chest pain is MUCH better on the diltiazem...I am just having trouble dealing with the other side effects.

In the words of Roseanneroseannadanna, "IT's always something..."

[LindaSo]

Yep, at times, I think Roseannaroseannadanna has taken up residence at this household also. I'll be interested in hearing what the pharmacist recommends. Please let us know, it could be helpful for others, or me in the future.
L