Diltiazem and Increased Heart Rate: 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."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 4, 2019

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "I have an irregular heartbeat, so my doctor put me on Cartia XT 240 MG (diltiazem). I started having a racing heart, uncontrollable shakes, heated face, felt like my face was going to burn off, couldn't get out of bed, and went to the ER 3 times in a week. My kids finally looked up side effects to this drug, and I had them all. It was awful. I finally got off of it onto the plain Diltiazem. It works 100 times better without crazy side effects. I suggest you look up side effects before taking anything new. I know I will. I felt like I was dying."

• 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!"

• SJS...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 21, 2019

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Cartia XT 180 (diltiazem) every other day for several years. It controls my BP and prevents SVT. There is a shortage (Aug 2019) so the pharmacy substituted Cardizem CD. Since then I have experienced episodes of rapid heart rate, increase in pitch and intensity of tinnitus and hot flashes. I just had my Thyroid levels tested today to see if my dose of Synthroid is too high. (After EKG was normal). If it isn’t the Synthroid, then it must be the Cardizem. Very frustrating - I don’t feel myself at all."

• 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."

• 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."

• Qus...
• March 27, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I'm taking diltiazem SR 90 mg twice a day for hypertension. I have CKD stage 4, it controls the blood pressure well, but with many intolerable adverse effects. I started to have flushing, redness, and hotness on my feet once I stand for a long time, my heart races with minimal activity or even when I stand from bed, and I have severe fatigue."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 18, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Cardizem LA for a little over a month. After a couple of weeks, I began having waves of depression, pounding heart, dizziness, and all of these symptoms worsened. The last week I was on this med, I noticed a white blister in my mouth, which spread and became very sore. Along with that, I had blisters show up on my fingers with peeling skin. I researched other reviews here and figured it had to be the Cardizem. I have stopped taking it and have already noticed a big difference."

• CRL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2022

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been taking 180 mg of Diltiazem XR for about a week, and the side effects are awful (flushing, rapid heartbeat, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath) for about 5-6 hours after taking it and have continued to be in Afib on it. Have been in the ER twice this week with HR 175+. Will see the cardiologist this week to get another, more effective, fewer side effects medication that works for my body."