CARDIZEM SR

Drug Name: CARDIZEM SR

CARDIZEM SR DESCRIPTION:
DILTIAZEM 12 HOUR SUSTAINED ACTION CAPSULE - ORAL (dill-TIE-uh-zem)

COMMON CARDIZEM SR BRAND NAME(S):
Cardizem SR

CARDIZEM SR SIDE EFFECTS:
CARDIZEM SR may cause dizziness and lightheadedness especially during the first few days. Avoid activities requiring alertness. When you sit or lie down for a while, get up slowly to allow your body to adjust and minimize dizziness. You may also experience bloating, heartburn, muscle cramps, headache, flushing, nasal congestion, sore throat, constipation or diarrhea. Inform your doctor if they become bothersome. Notify your doctor if you develop breathing difficulties, swelling of the hands or feet or an irregular heartbeat. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

HOW TO USE CARDIZEM SR:
CARDIZEM SR: The capsule(s) may be taken without regard to meals twice daily or as directed. Swallow whole. Do not open, chew or crush the capsule. Do not stop taking CARDIZEM SR suddenly without your doctor's permission. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.

CARDIZEM SR USES:
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker. Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction and in controlling the electrical impulses within the heart. By blocking calcium, diltiazem relaxes and widens blood vessels and can normalize heart rates. Diltiazem is used to treat chest pain (angina) or high blood pressure.

OTHER USES OF CARDIZEM SR:
CARDIZEM SR may also be used to treat irregular heartbeats.

CARDIZEM SR PRECAUTIONS:
Before taking CARDIZEM SR, tell your doctor if you have heart, liver or lung disease or if you have any allergies. Limit intake of alcohol while taking CARDIZEM SR. CARDIZEM SR should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk. If there is no alternative to using CARDIZEM SR you should discontinue breast-feeding. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

CARDIZEM SR DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially of cyclosporine, flecainide, beta-blockers (including eye drops), digoxin, lithium, disopyramide, high blood pressure medication, quinidine, rifampin, carbamazepine, and cimetidine. Avoid any drugs that increase your heart-rate (the decongestants phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine are examples). These drugs are commonly found in over-the-counter cough-and-cold products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

CARDIZEM SR OVERDOSE:
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, weakness, slowed or irregular heartbeat, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, and slurred speech.

MISSED CARDIZEM SR DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

CARDIZEM SR STORAGE:
Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture. Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information on enrollment call Medic Alert(TM) at 1-800-854-1166. In Canada call 1-800-668-1507.