Trade Name: Cardizem

Generic Name: diltiazem

Pt Weight: 133.4kg

Classification: antihypertensive
Indications:
Hypertension.
Angina pectoris and vasospastic (Prinzmetal's) angina.
Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias and rapid ventricular rates in atrial flutter or fibrillation.
Why is your patient taking this drug? Hypertension
Standard doses and routes:
IV: (Adults) 0.25 mg/kg; may repeat in 15 min with a dose of 0.35 mg/kg. May follow with
continuous infusion at 10 mg/hr (range 515 mg/hr) for up to 24 hr
Patient Dose: 100ml D5W 1x/daily

Trade Name: Cardizem

Generic Name: diltiazem

Pt Weight: 133.4kg

Adverse Reactions & Side Fx:

Patient/Family Teaching:

1. CNS: abnormal dreams, anxiety, confusion, dizziness,

drowsiness, headache, nervousness, psychiatric
disturbances, weakness
2. EENT: blurred vision, disturbed equilibrium, epistaxis,
tinnitus
3. Resp: cough, dyspnea
4. CV: ARRHYTHMIAS, HF, peripheral edema, bradycardia,
chest pain, hypotension, palpitations, syncope, tachycardia
5. GI: liver enzymes, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, dry
mouth, dysgeusia, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting
6. GU: dysuria, nocturia, polyuria, sexual dysfunction, urinary
frequency
7. Derm: STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME, dermatitis,
erythema multiforme, flushing, sweating, photosensitivity,
pruritus/urticaria, rash
8. Endo: gynecomastia, hyperglycemia
9. Hemat: anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
10. Metabolic: weight gain
11. MS: joint stiffness, muscle cramps
12. Neuro: paresthesia, tremor
13. Misc: gingival hyperplasia

1. Advise patient to take

medication as directed at
the same time each day,
even if feeling well. Take
missed doses as soon as
possible unless almost
time for next dose; do not
double doses. May need to
be discontinued gradually.
2. Advise patient to avoid
large amounts (68 glasses
of grapefruit juice/day)
during therapy.
3. Instruct patient on correct
technique for monitoring
pulse. Instruct patient to
contact health care
professional if heart rate is
<50 bpm.
4. Caution patient to change
positions slowly to
minimize orthostatic
hypotension.
5. May cause drowsiness or
dizziness. Advise patient to
avoid driving or other
activities requiring
alertness until response to
the medication is known.
6. Instruct patient on
importance of maintaining
good dental hygiene and
seeing dentist frequently
for teeth cleaning to
prevent tenderness,
bleeding, and gingival
hyperplasia (gum
enlargement).
7. Instruct patient to notify
health care professional of
all Rx or OTC medications,
vitamins, or herbal
products being taken and
to avoid concurrent use of
alcohol or OTC
medications and herbal
products, especially cold
preparations, without
consulting health care
professional.

* CAPITALS indicate life-threatening.

Italics indicate most frequent.

Trade Name: Cardizem

Generic Name: diltiazem

Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity;
Sick sinus syndrome;
2nd- or 3rd-degree AV block (unless an artificial pacemaker is
in place);
Systolic BP <90 mm Hg;
Recent MI or pulmonary congestion;
Concurrent use of rifampin.
Nursing Implications:
1. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate when starting
therapy and during dosage adjustments
2. Maximal antihypertensive effect may not be seen for 14
days
3. If systolic blood pressure is below 90mm Hg or heart rate is
below 60 beats/min, withhold dose and notify prescriber
Lab Test Considerations: None reported

Pt Weight: 133.4kg