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Does Cardizem Interact With Propranolol?
Question: Is it safe to take cardizem and propranolol, my heart rate consistently at 88 or above, have dx if SET, HAVING A LOT OF BREAKTHROUGH LATELY
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that taking concomitantly Cardizem and Propranolol may increase the risk of bradycardia due to adverse interaction of both drugs.
Their negative chronotropic synergism may lead to exaggerated heart rate decrease and dangerous cardiac conditions, such as cardiac conductance disturbances (severe bradycardia, atrioventricular blocks, etc.) and symptomatic hypotension.
These adverse effects may be more pronounced with dosing increase.
As you have tried several beta-blockers, it would be important to first investigate for any persistent secondary cause that keeps such high heart rate drive.
I recommend discussing with your attending doctor on the possibility of checking some lab tests in this regard, as follows:
- thyroid hormone levels (to investigate possible dysfunction),
- pulmonary function tests (insufficient pulmonary performance),
- arterial blood gas analysis (acid-base disorder),
- blood electrolytes level (possible electrolyte imbalance),
- cardiac ultrasound (impaired cardiac performance),
- complete blood count (possible anemia),
- possible peri-menopause implication
Once an underlying reason is detected and properly treated, then it would not be necessary to switch to such unsafe drugs combination.
You need to discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that taking concomitantly Cardizem and Propranolol may increase the risk of bradycardia due to adverse interaction of both drugs.
Their negative chronotropic synergism may lead to exaggerated heart rate decrease and dangerous cardiac conditions, such as cardiac conductance disturbances (severe bradycardia, atrioventricular blocks, etc.) and symptomatic hypotension.
These adverse effects may be more pronounced with dosing increase.
As you have tried several beta-blockers, it would be important to first investigate for any persistent secondary cause that keeps such high heart rate drive.
I recommend discussing with your attending doctor on the possibility of checking some lab tests in this regard, as follows:
- thyroid hormone levels (to investigate possible dysfunction),
- pulmonary function tests (insufficient pulmonary performance),
- arterial blood gas analysis (acid-base disorder),
- blood electrolytes level (possible electrolyte imbalance),
- cardiac ultrasound (impaired cardiac performance),
- complete blood count (possible anemia),
- possible peri-menopause implication
Once an underlying reason is detected and properly treated, then it would not be necessary to switch to such unsafe drugs combination.
You need to discuss with your doctor on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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