Diltiazem for Supraventricular Tachycardia User Reviews

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2024

"Diltiazem has been a godsend for me. I have had SVT for 70 years and had always been told there was no remedy for it. Three years ago, my GP prescribed Metoprolol to be used after an attack which worked fairly well for quite a while, but my attacks became more and more frequent and eventually Metoprolol did not help much. Another doctor prescribed Diltiazem, 240 mg, which I started taking on Nov 2, 2023, and which I take every night. I have had only three attacks, which lasted only a couple of minutes. What a change from the hours I used to suffer through on almost a daily basis. I love this drug. I am on a waitlist for Ablation, but if things continue as they are now, I will not have it done. It works perfectly for me and I hope it works as well for others."

• Mem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2020

"Started 120 mg time-released once a day of diltiazem for mild tachycardia and Raynaud's. 20 minutes after the first pill, I had an extreme migraine for 48 hours. Sinuses extremely dry. Felt lightheaded and agitated. No energy. I had an episode after taking it, so I ended up in the emergency room for high blood pressure. This medication has increased my blood pressure instead of lowering it. Went off of it and ended back 4 days later with high blood pressure, a 116 heart rate, and shaking. Took a pill, and my pressure and heart rate went down. Be careful trying to go off after 2 weeks on it. Waiting to see my doctor for a new medication. Not happy with this medication."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2009

Diltiazem "I have been taking Cartia XT for supraventricular tachycardia for about 5 years. This medication has completely controlled the racing heart that I used to get from time to time. I've had no side effects. A big bonus is that eating ice cream used to trigger the racing heart beat. Now I can eat ice cream."

• Apr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2019

"I suffered for about a year with constant PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) and was eventually diagnosed with PSVT (paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia) and benign PVCs. I had never had this anytime in my life until I turned 39, and my doctor has mentioned it could be hormonal related. I was prescribed diltiazem 120 mg taken once daily, and within 3 days, my PVCs were barely noticeable. As time continued, it worked even better and also controlled my heart rate. My resting heart rate before the medication was 100 or above, and after taking the medicine, it was around 75. I went in for a 3-month checkup and my BP was high, so the doctor decided to increase the dosage to 180. And boom, I was back to square one. Constant PVCs and fast heart rate in the 100s. After two weeks, I called my doc and she lowered my medication back down again, and I must monitor BP. Hopefully, I can get back on track."

• lad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 8, 2018

"I have inappropriate sinus tachycardia (a type of SVT), and I have an elevated heart rate when exercising or under stress. Diltiazem removes all of the symptoms of my illness and enables me to be physically active again."

• Rap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 22, 2017

"I'm 40 years old and have had around 10 episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in my lifetime. My heart rate gets up to around 250 beats per minute each episode. Before taking this medicine, I had to go to the emergency room and get a shot of adenosine to get my heart to slow down. I talked to my doctor about having to go to the emergency room each time because I could do nothing to slow my heart rate on my own. She prescribed me Cardizem 30 mg tablets to take when I have an episode. I take 4 tablets at the onset, and within 10 to 15 minutes, my heart rate subsides. This medication has been a godsend and works great for me."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2012

Diltiazem "I am on 240 mg once a day. Been taking meds since Feb 2011. Works GREAT for treating the heart problem, only I have side effects. A week after starting the medication at the lowest dosage, I developed sinus congestion. Increased my medication after six months, and the congestion continued and now developed sinus drainage down my throat that caused a cough. Medicine was increased again and now the congestion, cough, and wheezing are getting unbearable. I took myself off the medicines, and within 4 days all my symptoms were GONE!"

• Jac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2016

Diltiazem "Took this medication to help my SVT. Made my heart skip beats, and I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Worst experience of my life. Never helped lower my heart rate. Lopressor never worked for me either."

• gre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 26, 2020

"I was diagnosed with SVT about 7 months ago. I was initially put on atenolol but switched over due to it causing weight gain and constipation. The diltiazem has been fine, but I still get a couple of short episodes. Before medication, they used to last 30+ minutes and my heart would race to 200 bpm. Now that I'm on medication, I've had two episodes that lasted 30 seconds at most. Today, I just had an episode that lasted 15 minutes, but it was not as intense as it used to be. I'm considering the ablation, just because it's inconvenient to have this happen while I'm at work. However, I've been told that if I had an episode on diltiazem, I can take another pill to stop it."

• RSo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

"I've been taking this medication for 3 days now. It does lower my blood pressure, but when I first take it, my blood pressure goes up about 30 points. Gives me terrible anxiety, and I break out into supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The first day I took it, I had a massive headache. I have terrible constipation as well. Short of breath, and my bones ache, which has never been the case before, ever. I'm afraid to drive because I feel very light-headed and dizzy. I wish there was a better medication for this condition because this does not feel good."

• woo...
• August 1, 2009

Diltiazem "I have been on this medication a couple of years for supraventricular tachycardia and hypertension and have not had one episode of SVT since being on it. I used to get SVT once or twice a month, so this medicine has truly made my life better. The problem I now face is with my insurance company since they are hiking up non-generic co-pays to four times as much as before. Since there is no generic until 2011, I must either forego this medicine and try something else or pay something I can't afford. This is frustrating when I know the medicine works."

• Dan...
• September 20, 2015

Diltiazem "I am currently taking Cartia XT 120 mg once a day, and it is a mixed bag for me. I am still experiencing an elevated HR multiple times per day and very lightheaded all day long. I do not feel right at all. I have also tried metoprolol and lisinopril, having the best results from the latter, but it did not address my HR."

• Tas...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 25, 2012

Diltiazem "I took Cartia XT 120 mg once a day for thousands of PACs and PSVT. Cartia is mild, with few side effects, but good results. I took (Teva brand) Diltiazem EX 120 mg and had problems. I found out when I took leftover Cartia's that the problem is the Teva brand doesn't work as well for me."

• Thi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 22, 2017

"I take this medication at 120 mg for heart tachycardia. I went into the ER with 165 bpms 3 years ago, and honestly, I thought I was going to die. Uncontrolled blood pressure and anxiety and abuse of energy drinks. Please don't be a victim of energy drinks like me. Well, the doctor put me on this for the past 4 years, and my palpitations have gone from every week to every 6 months. Excellent medication and also makes you relax."

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2025

"I started with 240 mg Diltiazem ER for a week, caused my heart to beat at an even 60 bpm pace, but it beat strong so I could feel it lying down, making falling asleep a real problem. After a week, I told the doctor, and he lowered me to 120 mg Diltiazem ER, and after a week I feel my pulse is starting to relax more and feel it less finally. I also take 10 mg Lisinopril for now since it can take a while (2-4 weeks) for Diltiazem to lower my blood pressure. Now it is steady 120s/70s - low 130s/mid-high 70s. Sometimes I take another 10 mg of Lisinopril after 12 hours if it's pushing close to 140/80s. It has been a real struggle because I am on my second rotation of steroids and antibiotics for a bacteria. Sinus infection I am trying to push through. Diltiazem is doing wonders for my SVT. My heart rate has never been over 120 since taking it. Just not sure why he started me on 240 mg instead of 120 from the start, which caused me problems. Overall, no other symptoms."

• Anonymous
• December 29, 2009

Diltiazem "I have had SVTs for about 18 years and was switched from Calan SR to this drug. I had no issues for about 4 years until recently when I was told that Cartia had been discontinued. Now I am on Diltiazem for 3 months and have already had 2 episodes in a month. I am going to try my hardest to get back on Cartia."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 24, 2013

"I have taken this for over 18 months. It works great. I have atrial fibrillation and tachycardia. I had previously taken Rythmol for six months - it added 20 pounds to me and I was eating less and less. The diltiazem is working great, started on 120 mg but just recently went to 180 mg. Having a few more episodes but am also dealing with breast health issues - it could very well be from anxiety from this rather than actual heart issues. Very hard to discern. Would recommend this over Rythmol - hands down, and in the last 6 months have lost 10 of the 20 Rythmol put on me."

• Mes...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2017

"I began having SVT in 2011. It became debilitating, with almost non-stop episodes occurring continuously throughout the day. Very frightening. At first, I was prescribed diltiazem at 120 mg. That worked for a couple of days. The SVT episodes returned, again non-stop. My dosage was increased to 180 mg per day, and that has worked for me. When my Medicare Advantage plan changed how it paid for diltiazem, I couldn't afford that prescription. I was switched to verapamil, which I had to take at 1/2 of a pill twice each day. It was not as effective as diltiazem. The following year, I changed insurance plans and was able to again take the diltiazem 180 mg extended-release capsule once per day. I don't think I have side effects."

• MsX...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2017

"Was on Atenolol 25 mg, once a day, had bad leg cramping, some dizziness, it wasn't helping my palpitations, then the cardiologist switched me to Bystolic 5 mg. I had, again, dizziness, vivid dreams, and feeling fuzzy. Started Diltiazem 30 mg, 3 times a day as needed, and I started with one a day, and palpitations and accelerated heart are controlled. I only experienced fatigue, shortness of breath, and sometimes nightmares, but it has helped me feel better, though..."

• ams...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 11, 2015

"I just started on 120 mg ER Diltiazem once daily. I am a 45-year-old male, 6'3", 210 lbs, with a history of SVT. I have been on Metoprolol, Atenolol, and Bystolic in the past. I had horrible side effects with beta blockers. The doctor switched me to Diltiazem because he said it has fewer side effects. My SVT results in 1-3 second arrhythmias, and then they stop. I haven't been experiencing the SVT in quite some time, but my chief complaint is the sinus heart rate. My resting heart rate on beta blockers was 75 bpm. I weaned off beta blockers and for 2 days was medicine-free, but my resting HR was 90, which quickly shot up when I did anything. I did feel a lot better for those 2 days, but I went back on 2.5 mg Bystolic until I saw the doctor. Day 3 on Diltiazem and resting HR 85/90. I feel better, but it doesn't seem to slow HR down."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 4, 2021

"I have only been taking this medication for like a week. I can't take time release, so I was given 2 60 mg pills. It seems to be making it much worse. Now instead of a few premature heartbeats a week, I am getting fluttering that lasts for 20 minutes any time I try to do anything physical at all. Even lifting a grocery bag, walking, anything. Is that normal?"

• Sue...
• June 13, 2020

"Diltiazem ER worked great for PVCs. I learned quickly that it requires a good bowel regimen. It resolved the constipation and bloating. Ask your doctor what the best regimen is for you. I need to use more than the normal Senna dose."

• Dee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2019

"I am a 33-year-old male. I was diagnosed with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) in 2011. From that day, I have been taking Diltiazem CD 120. I don't know if it is good or bad, but PSVT episodes occur every 5 to 6 months."

• LBB...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 11, 2023

"I have been taking Diltiazem ER for 3 months, initially 90 mg twice daily. It has really helped with my SVTs. My blood pressure was still a bit high, so my dose was increased to 120 mg twice a day, which has helped, but I have now developed an itchy, eczema-like rash on my face and a sore, sunburn-like rash on my neck despite only being in the sun for a very short time. Has anybody else had this sort of reaction to Diltiazem?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2017

"I am 31 years old and have been taking diltiazem 120 mg for 4 months now, after the other medications' side effects kept me from being able to function at home and work. It is partly effective at treating my supraventricular tachycardia, but it caused me to develop acne all over my chest, abdomen, shoulders, and entire back. I have stopped taking the medication 2 days ago to see if the acne begins to reside. I have a cardiac ablation scheduled for a week and a half from today, and will hopefully be off all medication if it is a successful procedure."