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Pioglitazone
What is this medication for?
Diltiazem is used in the treatment of certain heart conditions such as irregular heartbeats. It may also be used to lower your blood pressure by relaxing and widening blood vessels.
How should I take or use this medication?
- Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
- You may take this medication with or without food.
What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?
If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?
Inform your healthcare professional if:
- You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
- You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
- You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
- This medicine can cause the heart rate to be slower and should be used with caution with other medicines that slow the heart rate e.g. digoxin, beta blockers and amiodarone. If you are taking these medicines together, you should visit your doctor for regular check-ups.
What are some common side effects of this medication?
Some side effects may include:
- Leg swelling
- Headache
- Constipation (difficulty in passing stools)
- Dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help but if the problem continues, check with your doctor.
- Decreased heart rate
Inform your healthcare professional if these side effects do not go away and become bothersome to you.
What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately
Very rarely, Diltiazem may cause liver problems. Stop this medication and see a doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms:
- Liver injury - Dark brown urine, light coloured stools (pale grey/ clay coloured), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, yellowing of skin or eyes
What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?
Avoid taking grapefruit, or grapefruit juice as they may interact with your medication and increase the risk of side-effects.
How should I store this medication?
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
How do I throw away this medication safely?
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
Disclaimer
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side-effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side-effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (NHG Health, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Contributed By
- Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore