Diltiazem Cd, Xr & Er (Top voted first)

What is the difference between diltiazem CD, diltiazem XR and diltiazem ER? Can you refer me to a website where I could research this information?

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Not quite true. These are indeed all timed release versions of diltiazem, but they all use different drug delivery systems and are released into the body at different rates. You can verify this if you look at the professional write-ups on each drug. For example, diltiazem CD, which is generic for the drug Cardizem CD, reaches peak levels in the blood 10-12 hours after dosing, and there is no changes due to taking it with food. Diltiazem XR is generic for the less-common brand Dilacor XR, which is reaches peak levels in the blood in 3-5 hours. Absorption of this version is accelerated when it is taken with food. Then there is Cardizem LA (no generic available yet) which has an even longer absorption time than CD (supposedly a benefit if taken at bedtime, since it will have its peak effect in the morning when heart attacks are most common). And there are at least two more versions! To make things more common, some drugstores will list several different versions as diltiazem ER; you just have to ask which brand name it is equivalent to. To make things even MORE confusing, many of the generic versions have their OWN names for diltiazem!

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Rick, thank you so much for posting those eye-opening details! You've helped to eliminate much confusion for me :) In case this helps anyone there are professional write ups available as Rick has stated for: Cardizem CD, Dilacor XR, Cardizem LA. Hope this helps!

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Glad to help, Roy. I guess I should mention that the other common brand-name variety of extended release diltiazem is Tiazac, which has an intermediate peak absorption time -- longer than Dilacor XR, but shorter than Cardizem CD or LA (at least for regular Tiazac -- I'm not sure what the difference is between that and Tiazac XC). The last extended release version I know of is a twice-a-day formulation (I believe -- not sure -- that the brand name is Cardizem SR, and I'm not sure it's even made anymore). The question of whether this myriad of different formulations actually elicit significantly different responses in practice would depend on the physician you ask. No doubt some aren't even aware that there are differences between the various extended-release versions.

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So then, is there any difference between Diltiazem CD and Diltiazem HCL ER?

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First, I must state that I appreciate the question as it is what I just queried. Second, I appreciate the detailed answers given. Directly to the point: I just checked my blood pressure. It is extremely high: 230/120. I checked it because I'm having chest pain. Fortunately, I have a nice supply of Nitrostat from the hospital's pharmacy, not a commercial one. In late August of last year, I was prescribed Cardizem CD 120 mg once a day. I was given the correct medication at the hospital along with 1 refill. I went back to the hospital to obtain a refill. (Yes, I just took Nitro again.) Recently I paid in advance for concierge doctor services. He prescribed Cardizem CD 120. Walgren's filled it with Diltiazem ER 120 MG. Obviously, it isn't working. I have found that it is a battle to get medication that actually works, because of generic substitutions that are the only ones allowed by WellCare my Medicare Prescription drug coverage or so I am told by Walgreen's. Generics don't work.

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I have taken 120 mg dilitiazem and have hip and thigh pain. does any body experience that too.

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First, I must state that I appreciate the question as it is what I just queried. Second, I appreciate the detailed answers given. Directly to the point: I just checked my blood pressure. It is extremely high: 230/120. I checked it because I'm having chest pain. Fortunately, I have a nice supply of Nitrostat from the hospital's pharmacy, not a commercial one. In late August of last year, I was prescribed Cardizem CD 120 mg once a day. I was given the correct medication at the hospital along with 1 refill. I went back to the hospital to obtain a refill. (Yes, I just took Nitro again.) Recently I paid in advance for concierge doctor services. He prescribed Cardizem CD 120. Walgreen's filled it with Diltiazem ER 120 MG (mfg: TEVAU green capsule marked BVF 120). Obviously, it isn't working. I have found that it is a battle to get medication that actually works, because of generic substitutions that are the only ones allowed by WellCare my Medicare Prescription drug coverage or so I am told by Walgreen's. pharmacists. MANY generics don't work effectively.

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Lanette, I assume your diltiazem prescription is for reasons other than blood pressure alone, right? E.g., chest pains perhaps? And that you are taking other blood pressure meds, too? I ask because, as you pointed out, 230/120 is extremely high. Frankly, for blood pressure lowering alone diltiazem is probably weaker than many BP meds, and 120 mg is a fairly low dose. Aside from the substitution issues, I hope all is going well! BTW, while I don't think generics are always as potent (and in the case of diltiazem may be the wrong version sometimes), I am OK with most of those i've used. E.g., I have long used Teva as my generic for Klonopin and it is every bit as effective as the original, at least for the reason I'm taking it. OTOH, I know Teva was directly implicated by a testing Lab for problems (a different extended-release mechanism ) with its versions of certain forms of the anti-depressant Wellbutrin (bupropion). (I'm assuming this was corrected, but don't know.) BTW I have a friend with very high blood pressure who keeps it very well controlled mostly generics, but she takes five different BP meds, mostly at high doses (fortunately with minimal side effects except possibly congestion and possibly declined olfactory function).

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does any one know if you just stop taking tiazac xc or do you have to wean off?

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Thank you so much rick.

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Leonard,

Are you working with the same drug company that has been sending you the XR (which was not a problem)? If it's the same company then I would recommend letting them know that the CD does not react well in your body, but the XR is fine - maybe they would be able to send you the correct medication. Can I get the manufacturer name(s)?

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I have found TEVA Mfg drugs unreliable and ineffective on two of my prescription. They were not made in the USA. I had to change from TEVA Mfg drugs as my conditions worsened while one them but improved once I found a different mfg and did report it to the FDA. The FDA did not complete a thorough analysis and was very disappointed in the haphazard testing they did.

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I came across the story relative to vioxxc causing 500,000 deaths. Go to counterpunch/org.../chinese-melamine-or-vioxx-half-million-dead-and-no-guestions-asked/

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Sorry you r having trouble, they should not be changing your medicine unless your doctor changed it, which you would have known. Mine was changed, differant Pharm company, I had problems, told the pharmacy I wanted my DiltazemER120 from no one but Sun Pharma. no more problems. the Pharmacy should never have changed it. I would tell them you want what has worked for you, if they did not have yours, they give a sub, the thing is once you leave the store it is yours,I had it put in my file, no one but Pharma. Good luck and don't listen to them telling you they are the same. call your doctor and tell him you want what works for you, period!! good luck, feel better

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has anyone had breathing problems with diltiazem hcl cd 180 mg

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Why is there no medical person or pharmacist answering these questions?

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No difference. Diltiazem is really just short for Diltiazem HCL (HCL=hydrochloride). So the HCL really applies to all the various generic and branded forms of diltiazem, whether specifically listed or not.

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The only way to get a definitive answer to that is to ask the pharmacy whether or not what they are calling diltiazem ER is equivalent to the brand Cardizem CD. And there's always a chance they'll give you the wrong answer, as I once verified by checking the capsule I got against an online pill identifier. But usually the answer will be right.

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Generally it's only beta blockers which require weaning off of, not calcium channel blockers like tiazac/diltiazem. Despite that, unless you're taking it SOLEY for MILD high blood pressue, I wouldn't depend on anyone on the internet for your answer -- ask your doctor. In fact, that's the best advice regardless. A call should suffice.

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Can anyone tell me the difference between Diltiazem ER 180 MG Caps XR and Diltiazem ER 180 MG Caps CD. Walgreens pharmacy changed my prescription to the CD from the XR saying there is no difference. I want to be sure before I take the CD. Does anyone no the difference. Thanks

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I have been told by my Neurologist that this drug Diltiazem cd can cause Parkinson like symptoms in a small group of peo...

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