Diltiazem User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• Mes...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2017

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I began having SVT in 2011. It became debilitating, with almost non-stop episodes occurring continuously throughout the day. Very frightening. At first, I was prescribed diltiazem at 120 mg. That worked for a couple of days. The SVT episodes returned, again non-stop. My dosage was increased to 180 mg per day, and that has worked for me. When my Medicare Advantage plan changed how it paid for diltiazem, I couldn't afford that prescription. I was switched to verapamil, which I had to take at 1/2 of a pill twice each day. It was not as effective as diltiazem. The following year, I changed insurance plans and was able to again take the diltiazem 180 mg extended-release capsule once per day. I don't think I have side effects."

• Anonymous
• November 21, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "This medication, when dispensed as Cartia, was very effective. Recently, my pharmacy started substituting from other sources. (I guess they are saving a tenth of a cent per pill), and I am having negative reactions. Facial swelling, itching, and rash on face and neck. I have stopped using the medicine."

• wya...
• June 29, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I take 180 mg once a day. It is a wonder drug. It helped lower my blood pressure, but it also helps with my headaches. When I feel a migraine coming, my doctor gave me 120 mg for the migraines, and I lay down for an hour or two, and my migraine is gone."

• MsX...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2017

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "Was on Atenolol 25 mg, once a day, had bad leg cramping, some dizziness, it wasn't helping my palpitations, then the cardiologist switched me to Bystolic 5 mg. I had, again, dizziness, vivid dreams, and feeling fuzzy. Started Diltiazem 30 mg, 3 times a day as needed, and I started with one a day, and palpitations and accelerated heart are controlled. I only experienced fatigue, shortness of breath, and sometimes nightmares, but it has helped me feel better, though..."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was put on this medicine in combination with atenolol for frequent PVCs. I've had an irregular heartbeat for 20 years and have been on several different meds. This combination of beta blocker/calcium channel blocker seems to be working. I have had some PVCs here and there, but definitely fewer since the diltiazem was added. I do feel like I've put on a few pounds since starting the medicine-like I'm puffy in the face and my ankles have been swelling. Other than that, I'm OK."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2018

"I started diltiazem 180 mg a day a couple of weeks ago to treat inappropriate sinus tachycardia. On the first few days, I noticed that when I stopped walking (even across the house), I would feel extremely dizzy. I also developed a weird numb, tingly feeling in my extremities. Although these particular side effects have worn off within a few days, I continue to have other quite concerning side effects. I have noticed that I'm having significant difficulty getting to sleep as well as really strange, extremely vivid dreams when I do sleep. I have also become a ranting, raging mess. I also seem to be having very extreme mood swings, which are far more noticeable than my normal mood changes. These particular side effects are indeed becoming progressively worse as the days go by, and although my heart rate has stabilized, I'm pretty certain that the benefits in this case aren't outweighing the risks."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2022

For Atrial Fibrillation "Had my first bout of AFib at 26 years old, had Cardizem IV drip for about 24 hours and went back into rhythm. Got prescribed Toporol and didn't like it. So sluggish and tired. 2nd attack was 33 years old. Was near 200 bpm, pretty scary! Same Cardizem drip and several shots of Toporol. New cardiologist prescribed Diltiazem XR 240, and man, I love this drug. Zero side effects and the best BP and resting HR I’ve had in years. I can’t speak highly enough. Substantially improved my quality of life."

• ann...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 18, 2022

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "This has been a terrible drug. So many side effects. The room was spinning round, my eyes have been damaged. My eyesight has been affected. So much dizziness and dreadful breathing problems. I was diagnosed with bronchospasm. It's like asthma. Heart rate all over the place. Cardiologists should be made to try this med before inflicting it on their patients."

• all...
• September 4, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "After my cardiologist tried me on many different combinations of blood pressure medications over a period of 3 years, diltiazem worked perfectly. I'm on the maximum dosage allowed, but take it twice a day in different dosages. With Hyzaar 100/12.5 at breakfast, I take 240 mg of diltiazem. With dinner, I take 300 mg of diltiazem. I have had no side effects that I'm aware of. Incidentally, when I was put on diltiazem, I was taken off Toprol XL, and I felt so much better after Toprol was out of my system. I had no idea it was affecting me adversely until I was off it. I saw on the review of Toprol that for as many people who said they tolerated it well, there were an equal amount of others who had bad reactions to it."

• Sto...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 8, 2022

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have permanent AFib, with no episodes of extremely high pulse rates. I have taken Diltiazem for years and now take 120 nightly. Doctors have approved dosage declines in the past to counteract a too-low pulse rate (40 bpm). My pulse rate is now 50-70 bpm. What's troubling is that I will come back from a walk, breathless, and my pulse will be in the usual range."

• Gra...
• December 30, 2010

For Atrial Flutter "My cardiologist started me on this medicine, 60 mg 2x a day. Every time I took a dosage, I ended up with severe pain across my back. When I stopped taking the medication, within 24 hours, the pain went away. It reminded me of the same kind of pain one gets with a kidney infection. So I quit taking the medicine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 16, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I've been on Dilt-XR for 7 years. Works for me. Then my medical insurance switched manufacturers. Same drug, different manufacturers. I immediately had side effects: face flushing, fatigue, strange dreams, headaches. Immediately called pharmacy. Pharmacy switched Dilt-XR back to the original manufacturer, and my side effects went away. 10/15/21."

• Mee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2022

For Raynaud's Syndrome "Disastrous. Two hours after the first dose, BP bottomed out, and heart rate soared at times to over 150; was used to replace metoprolol. Extremely dizzy and slightly short of breath. Never again. Felt totally awful."

• bar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 4, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "A horrible drug. I was prescribed the generic Adizem-XL 120 mg, and what a bad experience it turned out to be! After a week or two, I had huge pressure on the right side of my chest, which felt almost like my right lung was blocking up, as I could hardly breathe with exertion. Another side effect I encountered was frequent sharp stabbing pains when used with Losartan, again down the right side of my chest, which led me to A&E, only for them to say everything's fine. After a lot of hassle, my GP finally agreed to change my medication, although the problems didn't stop there!"

• Wah...
• November 15, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "Worked to convert afib, then dropped blood pressure too low. Doc adjusted med, but I had the worst headaches every day just in the week I was on it. I had to lay down due to headache and very tired feeling each day. Looks like it works for many who have posted. Trying metoprolol. See it has a less favorable review, but my hubby has taken it for years with no side effects. Hoping for a great outcome."

• Nan...
• January 28, 2010

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "I had been on Diltiazem CR (controlled release) 240 mg per day, took it every morning faithfully. I am now in Spain, where they do not have the controlled release but gave me Diltiazem regular release 60 mg. The first day I took all four at once in the morning, and it dragged me down so far I about collapsed. Now, I'm trying to regulate it, taking one 60 mg in the morning, then one at noon, then one about 4 pm, then one about 8 pm. I have heard that some blood pressure medicines shouldn't be taken before one goes to bed. Does anyone know about this one?"

• ams...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2015

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I just started on 120 mg ER Diltiazem once daily. I am a 45-year-old male, 6'3", 210 lbs, with a history of SVT. I have been on Metoprolol, Atenolol, and Bystolic in the past. I had horrible side effects with beta blockers. The doctor switched me to Diltiazem because he said it has fewer side effects. My SVT results in 1-3 second arrhythmias, and then they stop. I haven't been experiencing the SVT in quite some time, but my chief complaint is the sinus heart rate. My resting heart rate on beta blockers was 75 bpm. I weaned off beta blockers and for 2 days was medicine-free, but my resting HR was 90, which quickly shot up when I did anything. I did feel a lot better for those 2 days, but I went back on 2.5 mg Bystolic until I saw the doctor. Day 3 on Diltiazem and resting HR 85/90. I feel better, but it doesn't seem to slow HR down."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2024

For Atrial Fibrillation "Have been taking this since March when I was first diagnosed with A-fib. Took a good 4 days to get my heart rate under 100 bpm. This medication slowed my heart rate down too much at 180 mg (slowed to 37 bpm), so my doctor lowered it to 120 mg, and (at the time) I was almost 300 pounds. I have been able to lose some weight and just recently had them stop this medicine, providing my resting HR doesn’t go over 100 bpm again. This medicine sucked the life out of me, making my legs feel weak and needing way more sleep than normal. I couldn’t walk very fast or for very long. Now, without being on it, I am feeling much better. I guess it did its job, but it’s not fun being on it."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have only been taking this medication for like a week. I can't take time release, so I was given 2 60 mg pills. It seems to be making it much worse. Now instead of a few premature heartbeats a week, I am getting fluttering that lasts for 20 minutes any time I try to do anything physical at all. Even lifting a grocery bag, walking, anything. Is that normal?"

• Sue...
• June 13, 2020

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "Diltiazem ER worked great for PVCs. I learned quickly that it requires a good bowel regimen. It resolved the constipation and bloating. Ask your doctor what the best regimen is for you. I need to use more than the normal Senna dose."

• Dee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2019

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I am a 33-year-old male. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in 2011. From that day, I have been taking Diltiazem CD 120. I don't know if it is good or bad, but PSVT episodes occur every 5 to 6 months."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 13, 2023

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "So far, it has been okay. I took it once before a shower with Clonidine and Glyburide, and that was a mistake. I should not have taken the Clonidine. Previous to starting the Dilt XR, I was taking Clonidine and Glyburide before a warm shower because it helped keep my blood pressure and blood sugar in check. But taking them when I also had the Dilt XR made me feel like I was going to pass out. My mistake. Has anyone else noticed a foul taste in the capsule? In just the seconds it takes me to get my drink and swallow the pill, I get a dead taste in my mouth. It’s terrible and makes me worry about what the capsule is made from or if it went bad."

• Jad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2015

For Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis "I'm 31 years old and have started having high blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide didn't work. After seeing the cardiologist, I started diltiazem 24 hr ER 120 mg cap for high blood pressure and angina. I feel like it worked instantly. On my third dose, I checked my blood pressure and it was lower. It was still at risk, but it was much lower, and my pulse was normal. I do feel slightly dizzy for a split second. I don't feel tired, and I drive all day with it. I have had a loss of appetite, but I think that's a good thing so I can get this weight off. I'm using this medicine along with diet and slow-paced exercise. This is day four, and I still have a slight chest pain for a second once or twice a day, but I know it's working because I feel better."

• Del...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "Gave me headaches. Didn't fix the A-fib, but I'm going in for cardioversion (2nd time) and had the cardioablation, so mine apparently is persistent. I like Bystolic better, no side effects. I got the generic since it was covered."

• Big...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 11, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "Had an afib event 3 years ago, and diltiazem kept me out of afib. Now I have developed atrial flutter, and the diltiazem doesn't keep me out of it. The cardiologist put me on flecainide while continuing with the diltiazem. I am scheduled for an ablation. I keep going into flutter and have to be electrically cardioverted."