Cardizem CD

Cardizem CD is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and control chest pain.

Cardizem CD belongs to a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers. These work by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not need to work as hard. Calcium channel blockers also increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

This medication comes in extended release capsule form. Cardizem CD is usually taken 1 time a day.

Swallow Cardizem CD capsules whole; do not chew or crush them.

Common side effects of Cardizem CD include headache, flushing, slow heartbeat, and nausea.

Cardizem CD can also cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Cardizem CD affects you.

Cardizem CD is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and control chest pain.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Valeant Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Serious side effects have been reported with Cardizem CD. See the “Cardizem CD Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Cardizem CD include the following:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Edema
• Flushing
• Headache
• Weakness
• Slow heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Rash

This is not a complete list of Cardizem CD side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Benzodiazepines such as
  • Midazolam (Versed)
  • Triazolam (Halcion)
• Beta blockers such as
  • Atenolol (Tenormin)
  • Metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor)
  • Carvedilol (Coreg)
  • Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
  • Betaxolol (Kerlone)
  • Nebivolol (Bystolic)
  • Propranolol (Inderal)
  • Labetalol (Trandate)
  • Nadolol (Corgard)
• Buspirone (Buspar)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Clonidine (Catapres)
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Statins such as
  • Lovastatin (Altoprev, Mevacor)
  • Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Quinidine
• Rifampin 

This is not a complete list of Cardizem CD drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Cardizem CD can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Cardizem CD affects you.

Do not take Cardizem CD if you:

• are allergic to Cardizem CD or to any of its ingredients
• have sick sinus syndrome, except if you have a functioning ventricular pacemaker
• have second- or third-degree AV block, except if you have a functioning ventricular pacemaker
• have low blood pressure (less than 90 mmHg systolic)
• have acute myocardial infarction (also called a heart attack)
• have pulmonary congestion 

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Cardizem CD, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Cardizem CD, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Cardizem CD or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had a myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• have or have had a blockage or condition of your digestive system that causes food to move through your digestive system slowly
• have or have had low blood pressure
• have or have had liver disease
• have or have had kidney disease
• have or have had heart disease or heart failure
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Cardizem CD falls into category C. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Cardizem CD has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Cardizem CD, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. 

Take Cardizem CD exactly as prescribed.

Cardizem CD comes in extended release capsule form. Cardizem CD is usually taken 1 time a day. 

You may carefully open Cardizem CD capsules and sprinkle the contents on a spoonful of cold applesauce and taken immediately. Drink a full glass of cold water to ensure you swallow all of the contents of the capsule. Do not try to divide out the contents of Cardizem CD capsules into separate doses.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Cardizem CD at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends may be based on the following:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

The usual starting dose of Cardizem CD for the treatment of hypertension ranges from 120 to 240 mg daily. The recommended dose range is 240 mg to 360 mg/day. 

The usual starting dose of Cardizem CD for controlling chest pain ranges from 120 to 180 mg daily.

Your doctor will adjust the dose of Cardizem CD to your needs. The dose may be increased slowly over time until treatment goals are achieved.

If you take too much Cardizem CD, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Cardizem CD is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

• Store Cardizem CD at room temperature.
• Avoid excessive humidity.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.