Diltazem Viazem XL

[dindy]

I have been taking taking Diltazem for around 21/2 months now as an alternative to Digoxin which worked for me if I sat still but was useless for any kind of exercise which made my heart rate increase to very high levels.

Diltazem has worked well in any situation be it sitting or exercise and I have been pleased as I have not got any of the side effects ...until recently!

It seems the last 7-8 days the diltazem is causing me to have sunburn on my face. When I went for a brisk 2 mile walk I came back with slight red rosy cheeks but is was frosty with a cold wind. Went out twice more and came back with the same rosy cheeks. When I went out my nose was running my eyes were watering and my face was frozen in whatever look I had on my face so presumed it was the cold wind causing rosy cheeks.

Yesterday was no different as went out for walk about 7:30 am then came back sat down for about an hour or so then out into the garden to cut grass and potter around so a total of about 2:45 hours outside including walk.

Come the evening my face felt sore especially my forehead if I screwed it up and my face was brighrt red like I have been in the very hot burning sun with no suncream but it was overcast, not that makes much difference these days to UV light.

Anyway it seems it is the Diltazem that caused the burning going by research on google. I have to either change my prescription which depresses me as apart from the burning it works for me. I put on some aloe vera last night and boy did it sting. This morning it feels ok so fingers crossed.

I will buy some suncram today but as a lot of you know march/April is a very busy time in the garden so not sure what to do. Normally I have a high tolerance to the sun rays or at least used to in my younger days and even now will work in sun for severl hours with no T shirt on much to the disgust of my wifey!!

Has anyone else had this problem and have you any advice please. Thank you

[Hidden]

I have been taking 120mg for 6 years without any problems but we are all different. Don’t suppose you are taking Amiodarone?

[dindy in reply to Hidden]

HiFlapjack,no not taking Amiodarone. Apixaban and fostair for asthma are the only regular meds I take.

I could not make out why I am getting the sunburn symptons only now after taking Diltazem for about 2 1/2 months. I then realised the strength of sun is changing weekly if not daily as springs continues. We may not feel or see the change but it is going on.

You are correct we are all different which sometimes makes it frustrating trying to get to bottom of things but that is how it goes. Thanks for your input.

[Buffafly]

Don’t forget to take vitamin D if you are using sunscreen!

[baba]

Be careful in your choice of "sunscreen" . There are ones that cause a chemical reaction, ( can cause extra problems for some), and others create a physical barrier.

google.com/amp/s/www.health...

[Thomap]

Hi there , my GP told me that Diltazem will make me flush. I take 90 MGM’s twice a day.

[Heartfelt46]

Hi Dindy,

Well, how interesting, I have noticed that I have started getting ‘rosy cheeks’ without any exposure to sun, wind and cold yes, and just put it down to one of those changes we go through in life. I have been taking Diltiazem for several years and Apixaban for even longer and the only issues I have had have been a tendency to swollen ankles when it’s hot, shame cos I had such slim ones!!! Now I will do a bit of research on Diltiazem although for me it has been a wonder drug so would be very reluctant to change, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it’.