When you start taking diltiazem you should be on diltiazem long term, which is common.
When people start taking diltiazem, most people are on diltiazem long term and often for the rest of their life as well especially for treating conditions like angina or high blood pressure.
The drug diltiazem controls angina and high blood pressure but does not cure them.
If diltiazem is prescribed to you for angina or high blood pressure then it often taken long term and for long term management.
Do not stop taking diltiazem suddenly without your doctors advice as stopping diltiazem abruptly can cause your blood pressure to rise again and increase your risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Continue taking diltiazem every day as directed by your doctor to maintain the diltiazem effectiveness.
Before you stop taking diltiazem you must talk with your doctor before you stop taking diltiazem.
If you have any concerns about diltiazem or side effects of diltiazem when taking it, discuss it with your doctor as they may be able to prescribe you a different medication if diltiazem is not working for you.
Common side effects of diltiazem include tiredness, swelling in the legs and dizziness.
Other possible side effects of diltiazem are constipation, nausea and headaches, facial flushing or redness, swelling of the legs and ankles.
Serious side effects of diltiazem can also occur and require immediate medical attention.
If you have any of the serious side effects of diltiazem like chest pain, severe skin rash, shortness of breath or other signs of severe allergic reaction to diltiazem like swelling of the face or throat you should seek immediate medical attention.
Other serious side effects of diltiazem are fainting, heart palpitations or the feeling of a racing or skipping heart, blistering, peeling or sores on the skin, mouth or yes or tightness in the throat or difficulty swallowing or swelling of the tongue and itching.