• Diltiazem HCl is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.
• Diltiazem HCl is indicated for the management of chronic stable angina.

Hypertension (Hight Blood Pressure)

Angina

• Hypertension: Titration is required to adjust dosage to the specific demands of each patient. When used as monotherapy, 180 to 240 mg once daily is a good starting dose, while some patients may respond to lower amounts. Because the maximum antihypertensive effect is usually shown after 14 days of continuous medication, dose modifications should be planned accordingly. Clinical investigations used a dose range of 120 to 540 mg once daily. The dose can be gradually increased up to a maximum of 540 mg per day.
• Angina: Dosage for the treatment of angina should be individualized based on response. The initial dose of 180 mg once daily may be increased at intervals of 7 to 14 days if adequate response is not obtained. Cardizem LA doses above 360 mg appear to confer no additional benefit.

Commonly reported side effects include-

• Lower limb edema
• Dizziness
• Asthenia
• Bradycardia
• Nausea
• Flushing
• Rash

Lower limb edema	Dizziness	Asthenia
Bradycardia	Nausea	Flushing

• Diltiazem hydrochloride is extensively metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys and in bile. The drug should be used with caution in patients with impaired renal or hepatic function.
• Dermatological events may be transient and may disappear despite continued use of diltiazem. However, skin eruptions progressing to erythema multiforme and/or exfoliative dermatitis have also been infrequently reported.