Diltiazem

The Basics

What is Diltiazem?

Used to treat high blood pressure and to control chest pain (angina).

Brand names for Diltiazem

Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Dilt-CD, Diltia XT, Dilt-XR, Diltzac, Matzim LA, Taztia XT, Tiazac

How Diltiazem is classified

Antihypertensive Agents, Calcium Channel Blockers, Antiarrhythmics, Vasodilator Agents

Diltiazem During Pregnancy

Diltiazem pregnancy category

Category CNote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Diltiazem while pregnant

Reproduction studies have been conducted in mice, rats, and rabbits. Administration of doses ranging from five to ten times (on a mg/kg basis) the daily recommended therapeutic dose has resulted in embryo and fetal lethality. These doses, in some studies, have been reported to cause skeletal abnormalities. In the perinatal/postnatal studies, there was an increased incidence of stillbirths at doses of 20 times the human dose or greater. There are no well-controlled studies in pregnant women; therefore, use diltiazem in pregnant women only if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus.

Taking Diltiazem While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Diltiazem?

Based on limited data, amounts of diltiazem ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Based on limited data, amounts of diltiazem ingested by the infant are small and would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants.

Possible effects of Diltiazem on milk supply

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Possible alternatives to Diltiazem

Nifedipine, Verapamil.