Diltiazem hydrochloride

[Page12]

Hi guys. Hope you all doing well. I have a question recently just week ago I was prescribed Diltiazem 90mg twice a day which I asked for it be taken once a day, by taking this I noticed I get heart palpitations like every 2 minutes, is this only happening to me or anyone else experienced this? Also they make my blood pressure low also they were given to me to slow my heart down due HA last year. Your respond is most appreciated.

[Carolx]

Good morning I take Diltiazem twice a day like yourself but I take 300mg.

I take these for arrhythmia (svt).

They have really helped with my palpitations. They haven’t stopped but have calmed down, they don’t last as long.

I was put on Bisoprolol last year after a holter monitor reading and I have never felt so ill. Like you now, my heart rate was so erratic. I was getting constant palpitations, so my cardiologist took me off them and put me back on Diltiazem.

We all react differently.

I have joined the BHF forum on Facebook. They are so helpful. They have a nurse on call every day. You can ask her anything.

I’d call your gp or cardiologist and go through your symptoms with one of them.

Hope you feel better very soon.

[Best2 in reply to Carolx]

Hi Carolx do u know if diltiazen is a beta blocker ? I was prescribed bisoprolol for ectopic beats but coulda tolerate them made me feel dreadful ! Doc is changing them to diltiazen today but I’ve read they are for blood pressure!

[Carolx in reply to Best2]

Hello Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker.

They enlarge the arteries, so the blood flow is better to the heart.

They are used for high blood pressure, angina and arrhythmia.

They definitely help me. As I said they haven’t stopped my palpitations altogether but they don’t last as long and aren’t as powerful.

They normally last around 2-3 minutes now, compared to 20-30 minutes.

I hated the way I felt on Bisoprolol. Made me feel dreadful.

I had so many palpitations whilst on them and my chest was constantly tight.

Good luck.

[Best2 in reply to Carolx]

Thankyou for your reply I will have a go with them !

[Ninjanoo]

Hi Page12!

If it's making you experience anything 'unusual' then first thing I would do is call your GP surgery and let them know what's been happening whilst you've been taking it.

We all react differently to new meds sometimes it's just an adjustment period but it could be your body telling you you can't tolerate it.

I am getting a bit of a list of heart meds that for some reason my body can't tolerate! 🤪🥴😔

But definitely let your GP know and hope you get it sorted and things settle for you x

[ILowe in reply to Ninjanoo]

"Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking diltiazem:........ slow or irregular heartbeat"

"Common (1% to 10%): Arrhythmia (junctional rhythm/isorhythmic dissociation), asymptomatic/symptomatic hypotension, atrioventricular (AV) block (first/second/third degree), bradycardia, bundle branch block, ECG abnormality, edema, extrasystole/ventricular extrasystole, flushing, lower limb edema, palpitations, vasodilation "

drugs.com/sfx/diltiazem-sid...

It depends on how your GP manages appointments. Mine would expect me to ask for an urgent appointment if an unexpected rhythm problem developed. A doctor can decide if the problem is serious or not.