DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Diltiazem 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules (dil-TYE-a-zem)
Brand Name: Examples include Cardizem CD and Cartia XT

Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules is used for:

Treating high blood pressure and chronic stable angina (chest pain). It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing heart rate, which lowers the workload on the heart. It also dilates coronary arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart.

Do NOT use Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules
• you have certain heart problems (eg, sick sinus syndrome or have second- or third-degree heart block and do not have a pacemaker), very low blood pressure, or fluid build-up in the lungs during or soon after a heart attack
• you have atrial fibrillation or flutter and a pre-excitation syndrome (extra conduction pathway in the heart), such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome (LGL)
• you are taking erythromycin

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules:

Some medical conditions may interact with Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart failure, a recent heart attack with lung congestion, heart block, low blood pressure, a very slow heart rate, other heart problems, liver disease, or kidney problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Moricizine or rifampin because they may decrease the effectiveness of Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules
• Amiodarone, cimetidine, or HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir) because side effects, such as heart rhythm problems, may occur
• Amiodarone, benzodiazepines (eg, alprazolam), beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), carbamazepine, cilostazol, cisapride, corticosteroids (eg, hydrocortisone), cyclosporine, digoxin, erythromycin, general anesthetics (eg, thiopental), HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (eg, simvastatin), or macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules:

Use Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Swallow Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules whole. Do not open, break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• Taking Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.
• Continue to take Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules.

Important safety information:

• Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules. Your condition may get worse if you suddenly stop taking it. If you need to stop Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Be sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules.
• Lab tests may be performed while you use Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules while you are pregnant. Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules.

Possible side effects of Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; dizziness; facial flushing; headache; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; swelling of the feet or hands; tender, bleeding, or swollen gums.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; difficulty breathing, especially when lying down; dizziness; drowsiness; fainting; lightheadedness, especially upon standing; loss of consciousness; nausea; nervousness; slurred speech; very slow heart rate; weakness.

Proper storage of Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules:

Store Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cartia XT 24-Hour Sustained-Release Beads Capsules. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.