Adizem XL

What’s the dose?

The usual dose of Adizem XL is one 240mg every day for adults, and one 120mg capsule a day for the elderly. Your doctor may prescribe a different dose to this.

Could it interact with other tablets?

Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medications:

• H2 antagonists (e.g. cimetidine, ranitidine) and protease inhibitors (e.g. atazanavir, ritonavir).
• Barbiturates (phenobarbital, primidone), phenytoin and rifampicin
• benzodiazepines (especially midazolam and triazolam),
• carbamazepine, ciclosporin, cilostazol, ivabradine,
• statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin, lovastatin),
• sirolimus, tacrolimus and theophylline. Care should be exercised in patients taking these drugs.
• Concomitant use of diltiazem hydrochloride with cilostazol and ivabradine should be avoided.
• Amiodarone and beta blockers).
• Diuretics, ACE-inhibitors or drugs that cause hypotension such as aldesleukin and antipsychotics.
• Concomitant use with alpha-blockers (e.g. prazosin) should be strictly monitored because of the possible synergistic hypotensive effect of this combination.
• digoxin
• phenytoin.
• tricyclic antidepressants eg amitriptyline

Adizem XL-SR should not be taken at the same time as alcohol, as it may increase the release of diltiazem from the prolonged release preparation. In addition the combination of alcohol and diltiazem may have an additive vasodilatory effect.

What are the possible risks or side-effects?

Like all medicines, Adizem XL can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms after taking this medicine. Although they are very rare, the symptoms can be severe.

• Sudden wheeziness
• difficulty in breathing
• swelling of eyelids
• face or lips
• rash or itching (especially affecting the whole body)

The following Common side-effects have been reported. If any of these cause you problems or if they last for more than one week, you should contact your doctor.

Common side-effects:

• Headache 
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Palpitations (awareness of your heart beat)
• Flushing
• Abdominal pain
• Feeling sick (nausea)
• Ankle swelling (oedema)
• Tiredness

Can I drink alcohol while taking it?

Alcohol should not be consumed while taking these tablets.

What if I’m pregnant/breastfeeding?

Adizem XL cannot be given during pregnancy and is not recommended while breast feeding.

If you have any more questions please ask your Pharmacist.

Remember to keep all medicines out of reach of children
Please Note: We have made every effort to ensure that the content of this information sheet is correct at time of publish, but remember that information about drugs may change. This sheet does not list all the uses and side-effects associated with this drug. For full details please see the drug information leaflet which comes with your medicine. Your doctor will assess your medical circumstances and draw your attention to any information or side-effects which may be relevant in your particular case.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diltiazem

http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/1217/SPC/Adizem-XL+capsules/

http://xpil.medicines.org.uk/ViewPil.aspx?DocID=3668

http://www.drugs.com/uk/adizem-xl-capsules-180mg-leaflet.html

http://www.mims.co.uk/drugs/cardiovascular-system/angina/adizem-xl

http://patient.info/forums/discuss/diltiazem-any-experience-anyone-please-41473