Side Effects of Diltiazem

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Diltiazem Review Questions and Answers

Trade Name:  Cardizem side effects
Generic Names:  Diltiazem side effects
What are the side effects for Diltiazem?
Diltiazem should be used cautiously in patients with cardiac conduction abnormalities, congestive heart failure, hypotension, and prescribing practitioner should be aware of that use of Diltiazem has been associated with acute hepatic injury clinical studies.
What is the mechanism of Diltiazem?
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker, that prevents calcium influx resulting in vascular relaxation and a decrease in blood pressure. Diltiazem decreases sinoatrial and atrioventricular conduction.
Is Diltiazem safe in pregnancy?
Diltiazem has been given a pregnancy category C. This means that in animal reproduction studies, Diltiazem has been shown to have adverse effects when administered at doses > human therapeutic doses.
Is Diltiazem found in breast milk?
Diltiazem is excreted in breast milk and breast feeding women should not take this medication.
How is Diltiazem metabolized?
Diltiazem is metabolized by the liver.
The adverse effects occurring in patients treated with diltiazem and rate greater than 2% include lower extremity edema (5%), sinus congestion (2%), and rash (3-4%)
Gastrointestinal Anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dysgeusia, mild elevations of SGOT, SGPT, LDH, and alkaline phosphatase (see hepatic warnings), nausea, thirst, vomiting, weight increase
Dermatologic Petechiae, photosensitivity, pruritus.
Neurologic Abnormal dreams, amnesia, depression, gait abnormality, hallucinations, insomnia, nervousness, paresthesia, personality change, somnolence, tinnitus
General Albuminuria, allergic reaction, amblyopia, asthenia, CPK increase, crystalluria, dyspnea, ecchymosis, edema, epistaxis, eye irritation, headache, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, impotence, muscle cramps, nasal congestion, neck rigidity, nocturia, osteoarticular pain, pain, polyuria, rhinitis, sexual difficulties, gynecomastia.
Cardiovascular Angina, arrhythmia, AV block (second- or third-degree), bundle branch block, congestive heart failure, ECG abnormalities, hypotension, palpitations, syncope, tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles
Endocrine  
Hematologic ...
Pharmacology of Diltiazem
Question:
What is the oral bioavailability of Diltiazem?
Answer:
The oral bioavailability of Diltiazem was approximately 40%.
Question:
Is Diltiazem contraindicated in patients with sick sinus syndrome?
Answer:
Yes, Diltiazem is contraindicated in patients with sick sinus syndrome
Question:
What is the metabolism of Diltiazem?
Answer:
Diltiazem is primarily metabolized by the liver.
Question:
What is the mechanism of Diltiazem?
Answer:
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker
Question:
How is the ionotropic effect of Diltiazem different than verapamil? 
Answer:
Diltiazem has less negative ionotropic cardiac affect than verapamil.