diltiazem

Diltiazem is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina pectoris (chronic stable chest pain), and certain cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. It works primarily by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells during depolarization. This action relaxes blood vessels and reduces the workload on the heart by lowering blood pressure and increasing oxygen supply to the myocardium. Compared to other calcium channel blockers like nifedipine or verapamil that have more selective effects on either vascular or cardiac tissue respectively, diltiazem displays intermediate specificity for both tissues. It is available in oral formulations for chronic use and as an intravenous injection for acute arrhythmias[2][3][5][7].

Brand names

CardizemCardizem CDCardizem LACartia XTDilacor XRDilt-CDDiltia XTDilt-XRDiltzacMatzim LATaztia XTTiazacAcalixAdizemAltiazemAnohealCalcicardCartia (international)Dilacor (international)Dilcontin (international)Dilrene (international)Dilticard (international)Dilzem (international)Herbesser

Other names

benzothiazepine derivative