Diltiazem Dosage

When treating high blood pressure or chest pain with extended-release diltiazem, the recommended starting dosage is 120 mg to 240 mg once daily (depending on which product is used). If you are taking short-acting diltiazem for chest pain, the recommended starting dosage is 30 mg four times daily. Your diltiazem dosage may be increased to control your blood pressure or chest pain, or decreased if you develop bothersome side effects.

 

Diltiazem Dosage: An Introduction

The dose of diltiazem hydrochloride your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you have
  • Other medications you are taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your diltiazem dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Extended-Release Diltiazem Dosing

For treating high blood pressure (hypertension) or chest pain (angina) with extended-release diltiazem, the recommended starting dose is diltiazem 120 mg to 240 mg once daily, depending on the particular product. If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to control your blood pressure, or decrease your dose if you experience bothersome diltiazem side effects.
 

Short-Acting Diltiazem Dosing

Short-acting diltiazem (
 Cardizem®) is only approved for treating angina (not high blood pressure). In these cases, the recommended starting diltiazem dose is diltiazem 30 mg four times daily (before meals and at bedtime). If necessary, your healthcare provider may increase your dose to control your chest pain. The dosage can also be decreased if you experience bothersome diltiazem side effects.
 
(Diltiazem Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;