WHAT IS Cartia er/Diltiazem hcl TABLETS?

CARTIA/Cartia er is used for Treating high blood pressure and chronic stable angina (chest pain). It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Cartia/Cartia er is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing (dilating) your blood vessels, lowering blood pressure, and decreasing heart rate, which lowers the workload on the heart. It also dilates coronary arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart.

Sustained-release (SR), extended-release (ER, XR, or XL), time-release or timed-release, controlled-release (CR), or continuous-release (CR or Contin) pills are tablets or capsules formulated to dissolve slowly and release a drug over time. The advantages of sustained-release tablets or capsules are that they can often be taken less frequently than instant-release formulations of the same drug, and that they keep steadier levels of the drug in the bloodstream.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Cartia er/Diltiazem hcl?

Store at room temperature, between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep out of the reach of children and away from pets.

HOW SHOULD I USE Cartia er/Diltiazem hcl?

Take Cartia/Cartia er by mouth with or without food. Swallow Cartia/Cartia er whole, do not open, break, crush, or chew before swallowing. Taking Cartia/Cartia er at the same time each day will help you remember to take it. Continue to take the medicine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Cartia er/Diltiazem hcl?

Cartia/Cartia er may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. Use Cartia/Cartia er with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Cartia/Cartia er may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Cartia/Cartia er . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

Do not suddenly stop taking Cartia/Cartia er . Your condition may get worse if you suddenly stop taking it. If you need to stop Cartia/Cartia er or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Cartia/Cartia er before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. Be sure to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking Cartia/Cartia er .

Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Cartia/Cartia er . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cartia/Cartia er while you are pregnant. Cartia/Cartia er is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking the medicine.

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Cartia er/Diltiazem hcl?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• erythromycin/Ilosone
• Amiodarone/Pacerone, benzodiazepines, beta-blockers, buspirone/Buspar, carbamazepine/Carbatrol, cilostazol/Pletal, cisapride, corticosteroids, cyclosporine/Sandimmune, digoxin/Lanoxin, erythromycin/Ilosone, general anesthetics, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, macrolide immunosuppressants or quinidine
• Amiodarone/Pacerone, cimetidine, or HIV protease inhibitors
• Moricizine or rifampin

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cardizem/Cardizem er may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Cartia er/Diltiazem hcl?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• tender, bleeding, or swollen gums
• irregular heartbeat
• swelling of the feet or hands
• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
• hallucinations

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• facial flushing
• dizziness
• headache
• constipation
• weakness

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Cartia er/Diltiazem hcl?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• atrial fibrillation or flutter and a preexcitation syndrome
• certain heart problems (eg, sick sinus syndrome or second- or third-degree heart block and do not have a pacemaker), very low blood pressure, or fluid buildup in the lungs during or soon after a heart attack

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.