Cartia Xt

Cartia Xt (Diltiazem Hcl)

General information

Cartia Xt is called a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing blood vessels in the body and heart so blood can flow more easily. It also lowers your heart rate. Cartia Xt is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and prevent chest pain (angina). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It may also be used to control your heart rate if you have a fast or irregular heartbeat (such as atrial fibrillation).

Directions

Take Cartia Xt exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily. Swallow the capsules whole. Take Cartia Xt with a full glass of water. The recommended starting dose for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) is 180 mg to 240 mg once daily. The recommended starting dose for treating chest pain (angina) is 120 mg to 180 mg once daily.

Precautions

Before taking Cartia Xt you should talk with your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, liver failure, cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, low blood pressure, any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Avoid drinking alcohol. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication.

Contraindications

You should not take Cartia Xt if you are allergic to diltiazem, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart rhythm problems (sick sinus syndrome, atrioventricular block), low blood pressure.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, nausea, flushing, headache, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, mental or mood changes, agitation, sudden weight gain, stomach or abdominal pain, dark urine, vomiting, yellowing of the eyes or skin (jaundice), swelling of the face, tongue, throat, rash, itching, stuffy nose, low fever, loss of appetite. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: HIV/AIDS medicines (ritonavir, indinavir, atazanavir, delavirdine), beta-blockers (propranolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, atenolol), antifungal medications (voriconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole), antibiotics (telithromycin, erythromycin, clarithromycin), sedatives (midazolam, triazolam), carbamazepine, quinidine, cyclosporine, rifampin, lovastatin, buspirone , digoxin, amiodarone, cimetidine. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are slow heartbeat, chest ache, difficulty breathing, weakness, fainting.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.