You should not use diltiazem if you have very low blood pressure, a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "second- or third-degree AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), or if you have recently had a heart attack and you have a build-up of fluid in your lungs.
Before taking diltiazem, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or congestive heart failure.
Diltiazem may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking diltiazem suddenly, your condition may become worse.
Diltiazem may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. However, if you have symptoms of low blood pressure (dizziness, fainting, weakness, or blurred vision), call your doctor and stop taking diltiazem.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use diltiazem if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "second- or third-degree AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker);
very low blood pressure; or
if you have recently had a heart attack and you have a build-up of fluid in your lungs.
To make sure diltiazem is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
congestive heart failure; or
if you also take digoxin, or a beta blocker (such as atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, propranolol, sotalol, and others).
It is not known whether diltiazem will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Diltiazem can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
