Diltiazem Hydrochloride Tablets 120 mg

What is Diltiazem Hydrochloride Tablets 120 mg ?

Diltiazem hydrochloride is a medication used to treat various heart conditions, primarily those related to hypertension (high blood pressure) and certain types of heart rhythm disorders. It belongs to a class of drugs known as calcium channel blockers.

The medication works by relaxing and widening the blood vessels, which in turn helps to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. It can also affect the heart’s electrical activity, making it useful in treating certain heart rhythm disorders like atrial fibrillation.

Diltiazem Hydrochloride Tablets 120 mg Uses

• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Diltiazem helps to lower blood pressure by relaxing and widening blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily.
• Angina Pectoris: This is a condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Diltiazem helps by dilating the coronary arteries, which increases blood flow to the heart.
• Atrial Fibrillation or Atrial Flutter: Diltiazem can be used to help control heart rate in people with these types of irregular heart rhythms.
• Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): This is an abnormally fast heartbeat originating above the heart’s ventricles. Diltiazem can help slow down the heart rate in these cases.
• Chronic Stable Angina: This is a type of angina that occurs predictably during exertion or stress. Diltiazem can be used as a part of the treatment plan to prevent angina episodes.

Diltiazem Hydrochloride Tablets 120 mg – Mechanism of Action and Pharmacology

Calcium Channel Blockade: Diltiazem works by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions through voltage-gated calcium channels in the cell membranes of cardiac and smooth muscle cells. By blocking these channels, diltiazem reduces the amount of calcium available for muscle contraction. This leads to the following effects:

• Cardiac Muscle: In the heart, diltiazem reduces the influx of calcium into the cardiac cells during depolarization (the electrical phase of a heartbeat). This results in decreased contractility (force of contraction) of the heart muscle, which leads to a reduction in heart rate and blood pressure

Diltiazem Hydrochloride Tablets 120 mg – Composition and Active Ingredients

• Active Ingredient:
  • Diltiazem Hydrochloride: 120 mg
• Inactive Ingredients: These are the components of the tablet other than the active ingredient. They serve various purposes such as binding the tablet together, improving its stability, or aiding in its absorption.
  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Colloidal silicon dioxide
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Povidone
  • Lactose monohydrate
  • Hypromellose
• Coating (if applicable): In some formulations, tablets may have a coating to protect the active ingredient from environmental factors or to provide a specific release profile. Common coating materials include:
  • Hypromellose
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Macrogol (PEG)
  • Talc
  • Iron oxide pigments

Diltiazem Hydrochloride Tablets 120 mg – Side-effects

• Common Side Effects:
  • Headache: This is one of the most common side effects. It may occur especially when you start taking the medication.
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness: This can occur, especially when standing up quickly. It’s important to stand up slowly to avoid this.
  • Flushing or warmth in the face/neck: This may occur due to the dilation of blood vessels.
• Digestive System:
  • Nausea or upset stomach: Some people may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort.
  • Constipation or diarrhea: Changes in bowel habits can occur.
• Cardiovascular System:
  • Lowered blood pressure: Diltiazem is a blood pressure medication, so it can sometimes lower blood pressure too much, leading to symptoms like dizziness or fainting.
• Nervous System:
  • Fatigue or weakness: Some people may feel tired or weak, especially when they first start taking the medication.