Dilzem availablity in your country

[Malhouse]

I live in Jordan and have been on Dilzem for about 5 years. It’s the only medication which lowers my heart rate effectively. Am in permanent Afib.

Lately, Dilzem is no longer available here and the agent advised that Pfizer stopped producing it .

Just wondering if this is true . Do you still have it available in your country and taking it.

Thanks

[mjames1]

Diltizem available in US.

At least here, we can get drugs shipped from other countries.

Jim

[Malhouse in reply to mjames1]

is it marketed as Dilzem or any other name pls.

[mjames1 in reply to Malhouse]

Diltiazem, Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Taztia, Tiazac, Matzim, Diltzac, Dilt-cd, Dilzem, and Viazem.

Just keep in mind that the drug comes in different strengths and formulations -- fast tabs, slow and extended release capsules, etc.

So always check with doctor and/or pharmacist which formulation is best for you.

Jim

[mav7]

the agent advised that Pfizer stopped producing it

When you say "agent" meaning doctor or pharmacist ? If not check with both. And see if it can be ordered.

A very cursory google search indicates there may be a shortage of the injection type like they administer in emergency rooms. Don't know, but seems very doubtful the capsule form will be discontinued.

[Malhouse in reply to mav7]

pharmacist and in capsules form

[Ppiman]

The agent might not be using other sources, as, so far as I can read, only an injectable form has been discontinued. Which form of diltiazem were you taking? Has your doctor considered alternatives such as other generic brands of diltiazem, other calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers?

Steve

[Malhouse in reply to Ppiman]

am referring to Dilzem tablets

[Ppiman]

Yes - Dilzem is a brand of diltiazem hydrochloride tablets, often as 30mg, but also in sustained release formulations. This is a type of drug called a calcium channel blocker. Similar effects are produced by beta blocker drugs such as bisoprolol.

So far as I know, it is still generally available. In the UK, in general, there have been supply shortages of some drugs.

Steve

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Ppiman]

Hi

Malhouse is like me.

BBs do not take H/R sufficiently.

Metroprolol 186 (2 pauses at night)

Bisprolol 156

Diltiazem 180mg - 51

Now Diltiazem 120mg. 62 until 3pm - 88. Till pm. 47. Stays the same regardless of drug. I also take Bisoprolol 2.5mg PM to reduce BP. Both work together or separately on H/R or BP and rythmn. But separately they work better in individuals.

CCB the calcium channel stops calcium from getting into the heart muscles.

BB the Beta Blocker stops adrenaline from getting into the heart muscles.

As you swill learn these two meds work differently

I would be back to uncontrolled H/R and AF if I could not have Diltiazem.

I'm not a stressed person. My AF was caused by hypo or hyper thyroid through

thyroid cancer.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Ppiman in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi Joy. I didn’t mean to imply that the two work the same but in most people I think their effect is similar to reduce rate and, with that, and with luck, to stabilise rhythm. You have those special Joy aspects that bring their own joy! 😉

Steve

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Ppiman]

Hi

Drs learn with me ..research.

If one is mildly high in H/R then probably a BB works but the CCb

drastically reduces H/R. But as I said to the Specialist who gave it to me with

no instructions which should have been

1, Reduce Bisoprolol

2. Separate CCB and BB times to administer them

3. Try Diltiazem 120mg first. (180mg even 1/2 whole dose) I dropped to 51 within 2 hours.

Specialist had in the report that I could increase Diltiazem to 360mg!

Really. Between Healthline on a Sunday and NZ Heart Foundation with a nurse who knew my Specialist, the above info was important.

Note that simply increasing BB was not relevant in my case.

This is not about me but how BB or CCB work.

cheri JOY

[Singwell]

There are many brand names for Diltiazem. Is yours a slow release or normal? That makes a difference. My brand for example is Zemtard. I think if you do a Google search you'll get lots of different brand names. If you can access the NICE guidelines then that's also a useful source. Here's the page on Diltiazem

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/atri...

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

It saved me to. H/R was over 200. Metropolol 185 and Bisoprolol 156 but Diltiazem 180mg brought it down to 51.

I settled on Diltiazem 120mg AM.

I have Bisoprolol 2.5 mg PM.

Both reduce H/R but Diltiazem much more to control.

NZ ran out but procured ACCORD brand.

Last pick up returned to original manufacturer who is MEDSAFE PASSED.

NZ has it back at last.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)