Diltiazem and Headaches: What Users Say

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2018

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "Started Cartia 120 mg XT (9th med for BP) racing heart felt like medium (lexiscan) used for Nuclear Stress test. Severe headache, increased BP 191/123 feel like garbage, called Cardiologist wants me to continue on it! Ringing in ears won't stop. Heart pounding so hard chest hurts and severe headache. I am stopping it, might as well be dead!"

• Mag...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 16, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "Have been taking Cardizem since August for an episode of A-fib, heart rate of 190. Received heavy dosages of Cardizem by IV in hospital finally controlled. Since coming home the side effects are becoming unbearable. I have severe headaches, body aches, and stiffness so bad I feel like I’m walking through water. Shortness of breath now so bad I can hardly catch my breath after walking out to get the mail. Brain fog, horrendous weight gain, depression, and really depressive thoughts. Complaints to my Dr. are ignored. I am stopping this medication today. Hope I can return to normal living."

• Anonymous
• February 15, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Cardiologist suggested switching now to Diltiazem for fewer side effects, and Diltiazem would be better suited for my cardio profile. Started Diltiazem 240 mg once daily five days ago. Day one and two felt like I was tipsy with a headache that would come and go. Experienced red facial flushing. I made sure to drink a lot of water and stayed well-hydrated, avoiding all caffeine. Stopped all vitamin supplements before starting so I could have only the one variable starting the diltiazem. Felt I could not safely drive/focus due to the tipsy feeling and strange headaches. Day three brought dizziness, noticeable swelling in calves/ankles, and sinus stuffiness. Day four brought bouts of spontaneous rapid heartbeat, high pulse rate coming on like bursts of adrenaline out of the blue to the point where my hands would start to tremble and my legs felt weak just before the episode of rapid heartbeat. At this point, my legs are getting rather puffy. I am stopping the pill completely."

• Orc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 1, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking 180 mg for 2 weeks and was not getting a decrease in BP. There was really no difference from not taking any meds. I had heart flutters and body aches where I thought I had one of the worst fibromyalgia bouts ever. My doctor doubled my dose. In one week, the body pains/aches worsened, my blood pressure went up, and my heart flutters worsened. It also gave me headaches, and my nails have never grown so fast in my life! On the 1st day off diltiazem, my body aches are already going away, as are the heart flutters. After 3 weeks of unsatisfactory treatment, I would not recommend this drug to anyone. I'm going to Atenolol."

• RSo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I've been taking this medication for 3 days now. It does lower my blood pressure, but when I first take it, my blood pressure goes up about 30 points. Gives me terrible anxiety, and I break out into supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The first day I took it, I had a massive headache. I have terrible constipation as well. Short of breath, and my bones ache, which has never been the case before, ever. I'm afraid to drive because I feel very light-headed and dizzy. I wish there was a better medication for this condition because this does not feel good."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "I've recently started it to lower excessive blood pressure. It does that. I feel more comfortable and relaxed, too. However, it does bring on light headaches sometimes."

• mea...
• July 21, 2009

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "Sometimes I get headaches that started when I switched to this from metoprolol."