Diltiazem and Swelling: What Users Say

• afa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I had been using losartan 75 mg and was getting heart palpitations and feeling lousy. I switched to a different cardiologist, and they recommended diltiazem with a dosage twice a day, one in the morning and one in the evening. My blood pressure had been as high as 170/108 at the doctor's office, but was on average 125/90 at home. I was worried about the side effects but switched and have seen no side effects. In fact, my heart palpitations stopped, and my blood pressure is becoming more regulated. I'm now seeing average readings in the evening of as low as 100/70, with an average now of 120/85. I exercise 30-45 minutes a day and also stopped adding salt to my diet. I also eat less meat and intermittent fast - only eating in a 6-hour time period. I also have no side effects such as swelling, dizziness, or fatigue. I strongly recommend this."

• Hde...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "Have been on generic Cardizem since first bout with afib a month ago. Many side effects like ankle swelling and at waistline, sharp pain stabs in the head, dizziness, blurred vision. Just switched away from generic form and will see if the real deal makes a difference. Taking 120 extended dose one daily. Being hopeful because no sign of afib since that one time!"

• Bum...
• March 6, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking diltiazem 120. Then I was put on 120 ER; raised my blood pressure and horrible congestion. I had two 120 immediate release left, so I took them. On the 2nd day, I went to my PCP and told her; my BP was great, so we went back to 120 immediate release, and it's about three weeks in; the edema is gone. I had no idea how much fluid I was retaining, and the occasional mouth sores are gone."

• 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."

• 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."

• 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."

• Mar...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 11, 2023

Diltiazem for High Blood Pressure "I was on a beta blocker for high blood pressure. After chemo, I developed right ventricular outflow tachycardia. After heart ablation, they switched me to 240 mg Cardizem ext rel. I have been on it since 2015. I was not overweight, in decent shape, 50ish. Went for a hike and my ankles swelled. The last few years on it, I have developed lots of spider veins in my legs. It seems to work decently keeping my blood pressure down and heart arrhythmia in check, but I am concerned with what this is doing to me long term. I would like to get off it."

• Nvm...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2022

For Atrial Flutter "Atrial fibrillation started after taking the drug Atacand years ago. Currently, the doctor gave me a beta blocker, Atenolol, and being a diabetic, I swelled up with water and had an ulcer on my foot. I also have been on Diltiazem 185, 2x a day for years. I had 4 virtual visits with my doctor’s office and still never changed the Diltiazem as I requested. He changed the Atenolol for Corg. Then they tell me to take just the Corg with no Diltiazem, I nearly died, everything dropped down low. So I went to a new doctor, a doctor for the electrical part of my heart. The EKG they did showed I was in afib, he did nothing. I’m still on Diltiazem, and this drug is killing me. My heart doesn’t even beat normally anymore, my pulse is up and down, my blood pressure is okay. But I feel HORRIBLE, and here in Michigan, where is a good doctor? I have constant indigestion, constipation, pulse fluttering, edema in my feet, and lymphoma in my calves. Does anyone know where I can find a caring heart doctor in Michigan?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2022

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "Had paroxysmal afib 5 years. Was getting worse. Was prescribed diltiazem along with metoprolol and flecainide. Horrible allergic reaction to diltiazem. Rash, red blotches, swelling, fluid retention over entire body. No effect on afib. Got off diltiazem. Took 2 months, side effects to go away. Flecainide also not helping control rhythm. Got off that. Went into persistent afib now for almost a month. Heart rate going higher and higher on metoprolol. Have increased dosage recently to 75 mg twice daily. Does not seem to be working."

• Peg...
• February 14, 2010

For High Blood Pressure "I just started 240 mg for high blood pressure/high heart rate. Although I felt fine, my legs and feet swelled up. Talk about major fluid retention!"