Diltiazem and Heart Palpitations: What Users Say

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I first started this diltiazem CD 180mg once a day because I had high blood pressure and skipped heartbeats. When I first took the medication, I only had a few side effects which were constipation, weakness, tiredness. But as the months went by, my condition started to worsen. I was not myself, feeling depressed, tired all the time, having a pounding heartbeat with minimal activity. My nails started to look dead, like they were dehydrated and sunken in. I slept all the time, didn’t have an appetite so I lost weight, had bad anxiety, fainted once right before my med was switched, and had ongoing heart palpitations. I do not recommend this medication. It may be different for some, but it was a nightmare for me literally. I have been switched to another medication, and I am doing great and feel great. Please be careful with this medication, watch for side effects that can sneak up and cause problems."

• Phu...
• November 13, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "At first my Diltiazem dose was 30mg 4 times daily. Then Diltiazem XR 120mg once a day. Once in ER, Dr. gave me another Dilt 120 and it took care of the problem. My cardio Dr got the results of the ER, he upped my Diltiazem to 180mg. Every time I take it for at least 3 days, I awaken in the morning with heart palpitations. I went back to taking the 120mg. No heart palpitations in the morning. My PCP said I should talk to my Cardio Dr before reducing the dosage. Took the 180mg again. A week later, the palpitations in the morning started again. I am very sensitive to lots of meds and had to stop Flecainide and Multaq for that very reason. Just on Diltiazem XR 120 now. Will see if the morning arising palpitations stop. I feel they do not know my body like I do."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2018

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "Taking 120 mg of Cartia XT for weaning off of a beta-blocker for blood pressure. It sent me into tachycardia, which woke me up with a heart rate of 165 beats per minute. Never in my life have I had a heart issue. While taking this medicine, I experience skipped beats, which are definitely uncomfortable, and I have sinus congestion that has led to an annoying cough. I hope I can wean off this medicine and not have to deal with a racing heart. I'm also experiencing heightened anxiety with this medicine."

• Cas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 10, 2018

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "Taking 120 mg of Cartia XT for weaning off of a beta-blocker for blood pressure. It sent me into tachycardia, which woke me up with a heart rate of 165 beats per minute. Never in my life have I had a heart issue. While taking this medicine, I experience skipped beats, which are definitely uncomfortable, and I have sinus congestion that has led to an annoying cough. I hope I can wean off this medicine and not have to deal with a racing heart. I'm also experiencing heightened anxiety with this medicine."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 23, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Side effects 1-2 months 120 mg: horrible dreams, waking with pounding heart and BP raised, tinnitus, dry cough, feeling nauseous, skipped heartbeats, sleepiness throughout the day, stomach acidity, constipation, tinnitus, double vision in the mornings, BP not controlled, muscle pain. Going off it."

• 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."

• 30d...
• January 22, 2018

For Atrial Fibrillation "Increases my systolic BP by 20 points. Gives me rapid heart. Doctors say this is not possible. They drive me crazy. I do not make this stuff up. I am very sensitive to many medications. I am going off it again. Was glad to see on here that another patient had increased BP."

• Dil...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 6, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I had an attack of tachycardia that was caused by eating apricot seeds. Taken to the hospital and treated for 125-135 heart and feeling like I was shaking and panicking. They prescribed Metoprolol and sent me home after treatment. I felt fine the next day and then had a rapid heart rate again and had a flash of anxiety. I took the Metoprolol and tried to get in to see my Army doctors. After a 10-day wait and being extremely anxious and a nervous wreck, I got to see my doctor. He took me off Metoprolol and gave me Diltiazem, no blood tests, no other testing. The Diltiazem makes me feel foggy, dizzy, and at first chest tightness and palpitations. I'm desperately working out to lose weight and get off this drug."

• Buf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2022

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "Been on Cartia XT for a year, lowered my heart rate but not my blood pressure. Started getting heart palpitations, so the cardiologist put me on a halter monitor for five days. Took me off Cartia and put me on Amlodipine. Heart rate back in normal range, no more palpitations, and better than normal BP."

• Sen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 31, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been taking Diltiazem 24H ER (CD) 300MG CP for about a year. I take it in the morning, and it seems I go into AFIB shortly after taking it, even when I wake up feeling fine. I have also been given extra 30MG tablets to be taken 'as needed,' and I've thought about taking it after taking the 24-hour pill and the AFIB kicks in. But now I'm thinking I should skip the 24-hour pill and just take the 30MG tablet when and if the AFIB kicks in."