Diltiazem Sandoz CD (Diltiazem Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Diltiazem Sandoz CD Used For?
Diltiazem Sandoz CD contains diltiazem hydrochloride and is designed to release the active ingredient slowly over 24 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing (CD stands for ‘controlled delivery’).
Primary Uses
This medication is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Angina is pain or uncomfortable sensation in the chest, often spreading to the arms or neck, caused by a shortage of oxygen to the heart. High blood pressure, if left untreated, can lead to serious health problems such as stroke or heart attack.
How It Works
This medicine belongs to a group called calcium channel blockers or calcium antagonists. They work by opening up blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and lets more blood and oxygen reach the heart. They do not change the amount of calcium in your blood or bones.
Good to know: There is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
How to Take Diltiazem Sandoz CD
Diltiazem Sandoz CD capsules can be taken once a day, preferably at the same time every day. Your doctor will tell you how often and how many capsules to take.
Dosage Instructions
Swallow the capsules with a glass of water. Do not chew them. Take at the same time every day. Follow all directions given by your doctor and pharmacist carefully until your doctor tells you to stop.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking your capsules as you would normally. If you have trouble remembering, ask your pharmacist for hints.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed. If taking for angina, do not suddenly stop taking this medicine as this can cause severe angina for a day or two.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- small round, raised itchy areas on the skin
- rash or itchy, burning or prickly sensation
- increased sensitivity to the sun
- rash on skin or sores in mouth
- swelling or flushing (feeling hot suddenly)
- headache
- dizziness
- loss of appetite
- dry mouth
- weight increase
- weakness or tiredness
- trouble sleeping
- ringing or persistent noise in the ears
- nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, gastric pain
- confusion, hallucinations, abnormal dreams, mental depression or mood changes
- nervousness, tremor
- loss of memory
- unusual movements or uncontrollable movements
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing
- blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth, nose or genitals
- skin reactions such as red, painful or itchy spots, blisters or peeling of the skin
- symptoms of lupus like syndrome (swollen joints, tiredness and rashes)
- heart beating irregularly, slowly or very quickly
- pain, which may be severe, in your left arm and chest
- feeling continuously light headed or dizzy
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and conditions to be aware of before taking Diltiazem Sandoz CD.
Who Should Not Take Diltiazem Sandoz CD
Do not use if you: are allergic to diltiazem hydrochloride or any ingredients; have certain types of abnormal heart rhythm; have hypotension (low blood pressure); have had a heart attack or have other heart-related complications; have pulmonary congestion (fluid on the lungs); are currently taking dantrolene (muscle relaxant) or ivabradine (for heart failure/angina).
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with your doctor if you have: abnormal heart beat rhythm; hypotension (low blood pressure); heart attack or other heart-related complications; impaired kidney or liver function; diabetes; asthma; allergies to other medicines or substances.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Diltiazem Sandoz CD capsules should not be used during pregnancy as they may affect your developing baby. The active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Your doctor will discuss whether to discontinue breastfeeding or discontinue therapy.
Children: Do not give this medicine to children. The safety and effectiveness have not been established in children.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Diltiazem Sandoz CD and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Grapefruit interaction: Drinking grapefruit juice may increase the effects of Diltiazem Sandoz CD capsules.
- dantrolene (muscle relaxant)
- aspirin
- medications used to help prevent blood clots (antiplatelets)
- cilostazol (for blockage of blood vessels to the legs)
- other heart or blood pressure medicines (beta blockers, digoxin, amiodarone, nitrates)
- ciclosporin (after operations or for rheumatoid arthritis)
- rifampicin (antibiotic)
- cimetidine or ranitidine (for ulcers or reflux)
- diazepam (for depression, alcohol withdrawal or anxiety)
- phenytoin (for epilepsy)
- carbamazepine (for bipolar disorder or epilepsy)
- lithium (for bipolar disorder)
- theophylline (for asthma and breathing problems)
- certain drugs for prostate problems
- ivabradine (for heart failure/angina)
- inhaled anaesthetic agents (halothane, isoflurane, enflurane)
- cholesterol-lowering drugs (simvastatin, lovastatin)
- benzodiazepines or sedatives (midazolam, triazolam)
- corticosteroids (methylprednisolone, prednisone, cortisone)
- antiarrhythmics (for irregular heart beats)
- medicines used during scans
- colchicine (for gout)
- blood thinners (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban)
- drugs that prolong the QT interval
Alcohol & Driving
Be careful with activities that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.
Alcohol
No specific alcohol warnings mentioned in the source material, but caution is advised as the medication can cause dizziness.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness and fainting in some patients, especially when you first start to use them. Make sure you know how you react before driving, operating machinery, or doing anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep these medicines in their packaging until it is time to take them. Store below 25°C in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines. Keep where young children cannot reach it.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Diltiazem Sandoz CD, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Overdose symptoms may include feeling continuously light-headed or dizzy, heart beating very slowly, severe pain in left arm and chest, and excess fluid in lungs causing shortness of breath that may develop up to 24-48 hours after intake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Diltiazem Sandoz CD is designed to release the active ingredient slowly over 24 hours. You may feel better when you start taking this medicine, but you will need time to improve your physical fitness.
The medication should be swallowed with a glass of water. No specific food restrictions are mentioned, but avoid grapefruit juice as it may increase the effects of the medication.
No, there is no evidence that this medicine is addictive.
If you are taking this medicine for angina, do not suddenly stop taking it as this can cause severe angina for a day or two. Always consult your doctor before stopping.
No, drinking grapefruit juice may increase the effects of Diltiazem Sandoz CD capsules and should be avoided.
Weight increase is listed as one of the possible less serious side effects of this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.