Diltiazem and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 19, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I first started this diltiazem CD 180mg once a day because I had high blood pressure and skipped heartbeats. When I first took the medication, I only had a few side effects which were constipation, weakness, tiredness. But as the months went by, my condition started to worsen. I was not myself, feeling depressed, tired all the time, having a pounding heartbeat with minimal activity. My nails started to look dead, like they were dehydrated and sunken in. I slept all the time, didn’t have an appetite so I lost weight, had bad anxiety, fainted once right before my med was switched, and had ongoing heart palpitations. I do not recommend this medication. It may be different for some, but it was a nightmare for me literally. I have been switched to another medication, and I am doing great and feel great. Please be careful with this medication, watch for side effects that can sneak up and cause problems."

• Lak...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2020

Cartia XT (diltiazem) for High Blood Pressure "What a nightmare! Ended up in ER with heavy PACs. Cardiologist put me on Cartia XT 120 MG. WHOA! I was living life as a race car. Now, I feel like I am still trying to run the race but in a 4-cylinder car rather than a race car. Exhausted. When I stand, I have to take a minute to allow my head to stop spinning, and if I get up from squatting to garden or such, it feels like the lights are going to go out! Feel pressure in my chest and just plain weak. Seeing my PCP next week. I am coming off this. No way I am living life feeling like this!"

• Fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 18, 2020

For Atrial Flutter "I had my heart go out of rhythm, wound up in the hospital overnight. So, my heart doctor increased my diltiazem to 180 mg. I had unusual tiredness, joint pain, labored breathing, felt depressed, and couldn't function until 3 pm. I went back to the doctor, and he insisted on me having a PET scan. I did, but I told him it was the medicine. I went back to 120 mg myself and am doing well. People know their own body. Doctors should believe patients. My son is a pharmacist, and he said I was right."

• Swe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 4, 2016

Dilt-XR (diltiazem) for Atrial Fibrillation "I was diagnosed with Sinus Tachycardia a few years ago. My resting heart rate was usually 130-140. Resting heart rate! I was put on a medication that made me so tired I could barely function. After a month on that, I insisted on switching and they gave me Dilt XR 120mg. I noticed some slowing of my heart rate and absolutely NO side effects. Still, my heart rate was running around 100 and would get hot flashes if I did much moving around, which made work miserable. I have increased my dosage to 360mg and I feel so much better. Pulse is running in the 70s and the hot flashes and sweating have almost gone away."

• Nan...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Diltiazem 360 mg once a day for about 10 years along with 20 mg per day of Lisinopril for high blood pressure. I am 58 years old. This combination has kept me at normal BP numbers all these years. The Diltiazem capsules are 180 mg each so obviously I have to take 2 capsules (at the same time). I have noticed in the last few months my BP gets pretty low...about 90/60 and even lower. Every time I bend over I get real lightheaded not to mention feeling tired all the time so I decided to take just one capsule per day of the diltiazem along with the Lisinopril and in the last 3 days of doing so I feel 100% better! I think the 360mg is too much for me now maybe because I am getting older. My BP now stays about 117/73."

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

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "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."

• npa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 9, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "For years (More like forever) I kept getting diagnosed with panic attacks since by the time I would get to the ER the 'episode' had stopped. Last year I had the worst and longest episode I'd ever experienced. By the time I got to the ER my heart rate was still in the 190s. At 41 years old, I finally found out it had been A-Fib the last 20 years. I was prescribed Diltiazem (Cardizem) 60 mg every 6 hrs and I love it! A little bumpy in the beginning. Sensitivity to sunlight and tiredness/dizzy but not bothersome to the point I wanted to stop. After about a week the mild side effects had passed and well, it's just awesome. I highly recommend to help control A-Fib symptoms."

• Pee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 19, 2018

Tiazac (diltiazem) for High Blood Pressure "I was on Cardizem for many years for HBP but had problems with tiredness. My cardiologist switched me to Tiazac 120 mg and recommended taking it before going to bed. It worked well; however, I have now been put on a blood thinner for AFib and am extremely tired, confused, and listless. Still taking the Cardizem. Have a doctor appointment to see if I can get off the blood thinner. Have tried Pradaxa and am now on Eliquis. Don't like what it has done to my personality and functioning."

• skb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "Breakthrough Afib events. At first, had few side effects; after taking med for 3 mo, physical side effects are occurring. E.g., physical feeling of weakness, shaky feeling in arms, a little more clumsy and less strong legs; tire more easily with increased cognitive changes, e.g., difficulty retrieving information, names, etc."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 20, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was given Metoprolol Succinate, Eliquis, and Atorvastatin after being admitted to the hospital with a-fib. I am a healthy 42-year-old, non-smoker male. The metoprolol is the worst medicine I have ever taken. I suffered for about two months with horrible side effects. Went back to the ER because I thought I was having a heart attack about a week after starting meds. Stomach pain, dizziness, depression, anxiety, increased BP, shakes, bloated feeling, tiredness, and sharp pains in my chest. After about two months, another cardiologist told me to stop taking the metoprolol and switch to diltiazem ER 120 mg once a day. It took about a week, but all the side effects stopped. I started feeling like a human being again. I had muscle twitches for a week as my body flushed the metoprolol. Diltiazem has been a godsend for me, but obviously not for others. Just listen to your body and tell your doctor if a medicine isn't working."

• Nos...
• October 17, 2015

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been taking diltiazem for at least 12 years at different dosages. I am now at 360 mg. It has worked wonders for my Afib and blood pressure. I always take it at night because it makes me tired. My brother started taking it, and it has really helped lower his blood pressure."

• Blo...
• November 10, 2011

Cardizem CD (diltiazem) for Atrial Flutter "I have been diagnosed for 3 years with tachycardia, and the doctor does not know why I have such a high heart rate. Was put on this medicine. Still, at rest, my heart rate is over 100. Yesterday, he upped the dosage from 180 to 240 mg. I'm so tired of having this problem and taking this medicine."

• Els...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was on Adizem-XL 200 mg but didn't control blood pressure, also on perindopril erbumine and flecainide but didn't have problems apart from blood pressure going up. Put on Adizem-XL 240 mg and now have gingivitis, it's horrible, and the BP consultant recognized it but said Adizem-XL didn't cause it. That is the only thing that changed, and the dentist has x-rayed my teeth and I always have regular checks, no sign of problems. Just very sore, inflamed gums that bleed when I brush my teeth, and very tired, enlarged neck glands, and dizzy. I'm very fed up with the lack of concern, I have no confidence."

• CRL...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2022

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been taking 180 mg of Diltiazem XR for about a week, and the side effects are awful (flushing, rapid heartbeat, extreme tiredness, shortness of breath) for about 5-6 hours after taking it and have continued to be in Afib on it. Have been in the ER twice this week with HR 175+. Will see the cardiologist this week to get another, more effective, fewer side effects medication that works for my body."

• Anonymous
• September 4, 2009

Cardizem CD (diltiazem) for Atrial Fibrillation "I have been on this medicine for two months. I have had one attack since I started. I do feel a little tired and weak, but no other side effects."

• Rud...
• May 24, 2009

Cardizem (diltiazem) for High Blood Pressure "I switched to Cardizem from Toprol-XL. Cardizem tires me for about 3 hours, then I'm good."

• Mis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Tired and weak, hair loss, itching that's driving me crazy. I'm sick and tired of the side effects that my doctors didn't tell me about."