They are so different, Mike.
The best approach is for you to work your way through the three that are generics and have been around the longest.
They are: verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine. From the name, the nifedipine is most likely closest to the amlodipine (Norvasc.)
I've tried only one: Norvasc...HATED it!

Quote from michaellabibat:

Thanks Lenin,

Could you tell me the diltiazim dosage please? I will go for the SR which is called Cardizem SR, it's the same as diltiazim but extend form right?

I heard it's not save to take it in my age?
Thanks again, I don't know what to say :). You help me soooooooooo much
Michael

Hi Mike,
Thought maybe I could help since I've been on diltiazem on and off for a long time.
Yes, Diltiazem SR (generic) is the same as Cardizem SR. It also comes in another brand name, Tiazac.
The doses are 120, 180, 240. You may feel some side effects at first (though I didn't) but they will probably go away.
Hope this helps,
Cass

It's confusing, Mike.
Here's what's available at the most popular of the United States online providers:

[QUOTE]Cardizem
• Cardizem 30mg, Tablets
• Cardizem 60mg, Tablets
• Cardizem 90mg, Tablets
• Cardizem 120mg, Tablets

Cardizem CD
• Cardizem CD 30 300mg 24 Hour Capsule, Bottle
• Cardizem CD 120mg, 24 Hour Capsule
• Cardizem CD 180mg, 24 Hour Capsule
• Cardizem CD 240mg, 24 Hour Capsule
• Cardizem CD 360mg, 24 Hour Capsule

Cardizem LA
• Cardizem LA 120mg, 24 Hour Tablets
• Cardizem LA 180mg, 24 Hour Tablets
• Cardizem LA 240mg, 24 Hour Tablets
• Cardizem LA 300mg, 24 Hour Tablets
• Cardizem LA 360mg, 24 Hour Tablets
• Cardizem LA 420mg, 24 Hour Tablets

Cardizem SR
• Cardizem SR 90mg, 12 Hour Capsule
• Cardizem SR 120mg, 12 Hour Capsule

Diltiazem HCl
• Diltiazem HCl 30mg, Tablets
• Diltiazem HCl 60mg, Tablets
• Diltiazem HCl 90mg, Tablets
• Diltiazem HCl 120mg, Tablets

What I surmise is that the Diltiazen is only available as a fast acting formulation but the Cardizem is available as SR (Slow Release?,) LA (presumably long acting but how this differs from SR, who knows)...and CD I don't have a clue on what that means...(plays music, perhaps???) :D.

I DO know that the Cardizem costs 6 to 8 times as much as the diltiazem.

I'd try the diltiazem 60's to start...maybe twice a day if necessary. THen adjust up or down depending on results and side effects.

Quote from Lenin:

It's confusing, Mike.
Here's what's available at the most popular of the United States online providers:



What I surmise is that the Diltiazen is only available as a fast acting formulation but the Cardizem is available as SR (Slow Release?,) LA (presumably long acting but how this differs from SR, who knows)...and CD I don't have a clue on what that means...(plays music, perhaps???) :D.

I DO know that the Cardizem costs 6 to 8 times as much as the diltiazem.

I'd try the diltiazem 60's to start...maybe twice a day if necessary. THen adjust up or down depending on results and side effects.

You can get the generic in the SR. I'm sure because I've used it in the past.
But it's a huge capsule that would choke a horse :D

Quote from Lenin:

Cass,

I looked harder and was able to find a Diltaiazem HCL CR which is a 12 hour formulation at about $ .60 a pill in the 90 mg. Unfortunately the 90 mg. costs 3 times as much as the plain 90's.

I see that the LA is the only 24 hour formulation.

Ok I'll take your word for it. It's been a couple of years since I took the generic.
Now I'm as confused as Mike. :confused: It appears that diltiazem comes with it's very own alphabet. I just checked my tiazac downstairs and it's tiazac SA?

SA, CD, LA, SR? Could they all be different. I thought my Tiazac and the generic form I took were all the 24 hr ones.

On diltiazem, I don't see any point in taking anything but the sustained or extended release once a day version. Apparentlly the more sustained--slow and constant--the release, the less the danger. The ARB and heart attack issue I'd like to more about.
The good thing about ARBs is th at they are so side effect free. The bad side is they don't work that well (especially for the money). The bad side would get a lot badder if it were clear they are actually dangerous. As far as I can tell, my health depends on these stupid pills...

Quote from michaellabibat:

hello all,

Thanks for helping me, I don't know what are RX Cass :).Anyway, I can go to the Pharmacy and get whatever med I want without a doctor. Today I started 90mg of the SR brand and I hope it will be effective. I will take another one after 12 hours.

I have read something that makes me :( "Ditiazem SR may cause depression of artioventricular nodal conduction and bradycardia" what this means?

Thanks again,
Michael

Michael,
Here are the side effects I found listed for diltiazem. These are the most common but you can't absolutely rule out anything. I have had side effects to some medication that wasn't listed anywhere. You can just give it a try like Lenin says and see what happens. I don't know what artioventricular nodal conduction is but bradycardia is a slower heartbeat. I've taken diltiazem on and off for 17 yrs and the only depression I had came from the beta blocker atenolol.

Although side effects from diltiazem are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

dizziness or lightheadedness
flushing (feeling of warmth)
headache
excessive tiredness
slower heartbeat
upset stomach
loss of appetite
vomiting
diarrhea
constipation
stomach pain
dry mouth
difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Just don't panic and sonner or later you will come across the right med or med combo.

You are lucky to just be able to try different meds to see if they work. We have to see a doctor and then convince him to let us try what we want.
by ht eway RX means prescription.

Cass

Quote from michaellabibat:

Hello Cass,

Thanks for your help :), yes it's good that I can go and get any Med I want. Anyway, I don't panic when I read about those side effects because I know that everyone is different and I'm sure of that because when I took Cozaar and Atacand I got many side effects are MOST people don't get :(. And when I used Norvasc I didn't experience any side effects at all, except headache for a few days, today I started with 90 Diltiazim SR and my blood pressure dropped from 140/100 to 130/90 in 5 or 6 hours :) and I don't feel anything wrong like when I was on ARBs and BBs.

Cass is there any drug interaction between Diltiazim SR and supplements or other Medications?
Thanks for help
Michael

The only interaction that I know of is grapefruit juice. I also heard somewhere not to take calcium supplements near the time you take the diltiazem.
I eat grapefruit quite frequently and I take calcium suplements twice a day. I just keep it all a few hours apart.
Good luck - I hope the "no side effects" continue,
Cass