Relatively inexpensive drug for high blood pressure and arrhythmia, according to reviews - "Diltiazem". Instructions for use, which must be enclosed by the manufacturer in a package with tablets, describe in detail how to use the product correctly. On average, pharmacies ask for 60 rubles or more for one cardboard box. The specific price depends on the manufacturer, as well as on the form of release, as well as the dosage of the active compound. Much is determined by the pricing policy of the point of sale.
When will it help?
The reliability and effectiveness of the tool is evidenced by numerous reviews. Instructions for use "Diltiazem" recommends using the drug at high pressure, provoked by a heart attack. The most successful option is a prolonged form. Doctors usually advise stopping on Diltiazem tablets if the patient has intolerance, hypersensitivity to beta-blockers. "Diltiazem" will help people with hypertension accompanied by angina pectoris, nephropathy against diabetes mellitus. The tablets are approved for use and alleviate the condition of patients if the body does not take PAF inhibitors.
As indicated in the instructions "Diltiazem" (180, 60, 90 mg - dosage forms of the active compound), the drug helps with angina disorders of Prinzmetal, as well as stressful. You can use the medicine as a prophylactic with an increased likelihood of coronary spasm, if the patient is prescribed surgery - coronary artery bypass grafting, aorta. "Diltiazem" is prescribed before coronary angiography to prevent side effects of the event.
Sometimes injections
As indicated in the instructions for use, the drug "Diltiazem" can be administered by injection. This format is recommended for some forms of tachycardia, Laun-Ganoga-Levin syndrome. If the atria tremble, flicker, an injection of Diltiazem helps alleviate the patient's condition. Indication for an injection will be extrasystole - diagnosed or suspected with a high degree of probability in the near future. Due to the active compounds of the drug, the frequency of contractions of the heart ventricles decreases. This applies to both dormancy and stress. An exceptional situation is shortened PQ syndrome, WRW syndrome, leading to arrhythmia of contractions.
"Diltiazem" is recommended if paroxysm of atrial fibrillation is established. For maximum effectiveness, the medication is combined with Digoxin. Indications for use are disorders of the pulmonary circulation, leading to high blood pressure.
Analogs: what to choose?
Replacing a drug prescribed by a doctor at his discretion is extremely undesirable. If it is not possible to purchase the composition selected by the specialist, you should come for a second consultation to clarify which particular analogue will be most useful. As a rule, alternative medicines are selected from those based on the same active substance, which is necessarily prescribed in the instructions for use. Analogues of "Diltiazem", the most widely used in modern medical practice:
Well-established drugs produced under the trade names "Blockalcin", "Thiakem."
When deciding on a replacement, you need to remember that a poor choice of medication can cause adverse reactions, a low level of effectiveness of the therapeutic course. Depending on the severity of the disease and the characteristics of the body, such a situation may be accompanied by a risk to life.
general information
As indicated in the instructions for use, tablets "Diltiazem" belong to the number of compounds that inhibit the activity of slow calcium channels. The drug is based on benzothiazepine derivatives. With its correct use at the cellular level, the concentration of calcium ions decreases, which leads to a positive effect on pressure. Active compounds affect arteries, arterioles, expanding blood vessels (both periphery, and coronary), reduce the resistance of the vascular system and activate the blood flow in the region of the urine, brain and heart. Under the influence of Diltiazem, the heart rate decreases.
Due to the inhibition of calcium transport in the heart tissue, "Diltiazem" shows a pronounced antiarrhythmic effect. As peripheral blood vessels expand, systemic pressure decreases, Diltiazem has an antianginal effect, the myocardial wall relaxes, which means that the amount of oxygen necessary for its normal functioning decreases. As indicated in the instructions for use of "Diltiazem" ("Lannacher" is one of the forms of the drug produced by the company of the same name), the relaxing features are not strong enough to cause a negative inotropic effect. True, it is important to comply with the dosage established by the doctor, otherwise there is a risk of harming your body.
Important aspects
The tool is used for hypertension, and it helps reliably and clearly, and the effect is not long in coming - this is what numerous reviews mention. Instructions for use "Diltiazem Lannacher" explains this feature of the effect on the body by dilatation of blood vessels. Under the influence of active compounds, one can observe relaxation of the heart muscle, relief of the patient with hypertension, ischemia, with some forms of cardiomyopathy.
As clinical trials have shown, under the influence of the active compounds of the drug, the work of the muscle tissues of the stomach and intestines is corrected. This effect is not observed in 100% of cases, but the likelihood of its occurrence must be taken into account, recommending a medicine to the patient, and also warn of possible consequences. Instructions for use "Diltiazema-Retard", "Diltiazema Lannacher" and formulations from other manufacturers contains a reference to the lack of tolerance. This phenomenon is not observed even with a long therapeutic course. The substance does not affect the fat profile of the blood.
Process Features
As indicated in the instructions for use of "Diltiazem" with 30 mg and a larger dosage of the active substance, immediately after use, the drug is absorbed through the digestive tract. In blood plasma, the maximum concentration level is fixed after six hours, although in some patients the period can stretch to 15 hours. 80% of the substance binds to plasma proteins. The probability of joining with albumin reaches 40%. Metabolic processes occur in the liver, with the formation of an active metabolite. When analyzing the patient’s blood, its contents are lower than the active starting compound by about ten times, and the activity is three times less.
The elimination half-life of the active substance proceeds in two phases. The first - already after half an hour from the moment the medication was ingested, after a while - the second stage. When using the drug in high dosage, as stated in the instructions for use of "Diltiazem" 180 mg, this period can reach ten hours. If a failure in the functioning of the liver is detected, the bioavailability of the active compound decreases, the time period necessary for cleansing the body tissues significantly increases. This should be considered when choosing a dosage for a particular patient.
Technical points
Instructions for use "Diltiazema Lannacher", "Diltiazema-Retard" and drugs from other manufacturers contain mention of the main active substance on which the medication is built. It was in accordance with this substance that the product received its trade name - it is diltiazem hydrochloride.
In addition to the main compound, additional substances were introduced into the composition to simplify the administration of the drug, improve its digestibility by the body and increase the shelf life. Among others, starches, cellulose and talc, gelatin are present. Particularly attentive to the list of auxiliary components should be persons suffering from hypersensitivity, intolerance to any compounds applicable in the pharmaceutical industry. About possible allergic reactions, it is necessary to warn the doctor prescribing a therapeutic course.
Will it help me?
From medical practice it is clear that most often "Diltiazem" is prescribed to people suffering from high blood pressure. The tool works well as a prophylaxis for the risk of angina attacks. When using it, special attention should be paid to contraindications, since improper use can provoke a rather severe negative response of the body. Instructions for use "Diltiazem" contains clear indications of the impossibility of treatment with the drug if the patient's body is too sensitive to the main compound or to other substances included in the drug. You can not use "Diltiazem" if it is diagnosed:
- sinus bradycardia;
- sick sinus syndrome;
- Laun-Ganong-Levin disease;
- Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome;
- low blood pressure;
- acute heart attack;
- X-ray pulmonary hypertension
- failure of the liver and kidneys in severe form;
- aortic stenosis.
"Diltiazem" is not allowed for use at the second, third level of blockade (sinoatrial, atrioventricular), unless the patient uses an electrical stimulator of the heart muscle. Instructions for use "Diltiazem" (60 mg and other dosage forms) contain restrictions on the appointment of funds during the period of gestation and breastfeeding. The drug is not intended for the treatment of patients undergoing cardiogenic shock, as well as for the detection of insufficiency of the functioning of the left ventricle (systole).
Unpleasant consequences: what to be prepared for?
The instructions for use of "Diltiazem" lists all the possible side effects associated with taking pills or getting injections. It is known that some patients on the background of the therapeutic course suffered from sleep disturbance, although in general, as clinical trials have shown, almost all tolerate the medication very well, there is no negative response from the body. Among the other unpleasant effects noted by patients during the course, it is worth noting: some felt dizzy and sore, people got tired faster than usual. Sometimes "Diltiazem" provokes swelling of the legs and rashes on the skin. From the digestive tract, as indicated in the instructions for use of "Diltiazem", the following negative answers are possible:
- vomiting
- gastric burning;
- nausea;
- increased gas formation;
- violation of the stool;
- dry mouth.
Too much!
It is known that drug abuse can cause overdose. You can suspect a condition by persistently reduced pressure and improper AV conductivity. Instructions for use "Diltiazem" contains references to bradycardia, tachycardia against the background of an excess of the active compound in the patient's body.
Any symptoms of an overdose require urgent treatment for qualified medical help. Doctors wash the patient’s stomach and may recommend taking sorbents (for example, activated carbon). If possible, such procedures can be carried out at home on their own immediately, as soon as the fact of abuse was discovered. After eliminating the primary consequences, you should consult a doctor before continuing treatment.
Application aspects
How to use the drug? At what pressure? In the instructions for use of "Diltiazem" there are no exact figures on this issue. The manufacturer recommends using the composition if the rate is steadily increased, but for different people the norm parameters vary quite strongly, so the appointment is at the discretion of the attending physician. The lack of specific quantitative values in the instructions is completely justified: it is unacceptable to prescribe the drug at its own discretion, since there is a high risk of harming the body. Only a doctor, after conducting specialized studies, will determine which drug will help the patient and in what form, dosage it should be consumed.
As indicated in the instructions for use, Diltiazem (90 mg and other dosage forms) is used orally. The tablet is swallowed completely, it is not necessary to violate the integrity of the shell, crush the drug or chew. The medicine is washed down with a reasonable amount of pure water without additives. As a rule, a therapeutic course begins with 30 mg taken per day up to four times. The doctor evaluates the response of the body and decides on the need to increase the dose. The manufacturer indicates that the maximum volume for 24 hours is 360 mg of the active compound, divided into several approaches.
It's curious
There is an opinion that there is an ointment "Diltiazem". Instructions for use are only for drugs in the form of tablets and a mixture for injection, but on the pharmacy shelves you can find such ointments, which contain a small percentage of the active substance of diltiazem. A suitable drug will help you choose a doctor at the appointment. Typically, such compounds are prescribed to treat the symptoms of hemorrhoids. It is strictly forbidden to prescribe them yourself, as well as Diltiazem tablets for pressure.
All at once
Many of our compatriots are forced to use a variety of medicines at the same time, as the state of health leaves much to be desired. It must be remembered that some substances can interact in the body, so at the reception it is important to warn the doctor about all the drugs used by the patient. This will help make the best choice.
The instructions for use of "Diltiazem" (90 mg and other dosage forms) indicate that the simultaneous use of these pills and drugs that inhibit the activity of the heart muscle can cause bradycardia, organ failure. There is a possibility of inhibition of atrioventricular conduction.
The simultaneous use of "Diltiazem" and "Cimetidine" in food leads to a slowdown in the metabolic processes of the first drug in the liver. Therefore, elimination becomes longer, the manifestation of the effect of the active substance is stretched in time.
What else to look for?
The toxicity of drugs increases significantly if Diltiazem is combined with cyclosporine, quinidine, or carbamazepine. To prevent the negative effect of the body, the dose of medication used should be reduced. The combination of the drug in question and disopyramide becomes the cause of potassium deficiency in the body. The simultaneous use with Buspirone leads to an increase in the concentration of chemical components in the tissues of the body, due to which both therapeutic effects and side effects are activated.
The use of "Diltiazem" in combination with drugs containing imipramine leads to an increase in the concentration of the active compound of the second of these types in the blood plasma. This can provoke changes in the work of the heart system, reflected by the electrocardiogram. Similar effects are observed when combined with nortriptyline, trimipramine.
The simultaneous use of insulin and "Diltiazem" leads to a decrease in the therapeutic effect of the hormonal compound, but in combination with drugs containing triazolam, midazolam in the blood, the concentration of these substances increases. If you combine lithium carbonate and Diltiazem, there is a risk of parkinsonism, acute psychosis.
What's in pharmacies?
"Diltiazem" is a synthetic agent available in the form of tablets and an injectable substance. The tablets are packed in aluminum blisters placed in cardboard boxes and provided with instructions for use. One package usually contains 30 servings of the drug. Capsules of long-term effectiveness are a release option, in each portion of which there is significantly more active compound than in conventional tablets (120-240 mg compared to 60-90 mg). Such capsules are available in packs containing 20-30 doses of the product.
Use wisely
Instructions for use "Diltiazem" contains an indication of the need for regular checking of pressure, rhythm and heart rate. After a long course, the patient should visit the hospital with a certain frequency to deliver an electrocardiogram. Cancellation is carried out gradually, reducing the dosage over a long time.The specific time frame will depend on both the treatment and the response of the body. The process should be supervised by the attending physician.
Particular accuracy requires the use of tablets, if the risk of developing bradycardia, hypotension is increased. Instructions for use require careful use of the composition if there is a risk of conduction disturbance inside the heart ventricles. It is unacceptable to use the drug on the background of alcohol.
You should not use the medication to treat minors, since there is no official data on possible side effects. In addition, there is no confirmed information about the effectiveness of such therapy when working with children.