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Taking Diltiazem Er For HBP. Experiencing Lightheadedness. Should I Visit ER?
Question: My husband has high blood pressure and takes diltiazem ER 360 mg each morning. Lately he has been experiencing "light headedness". Tonight he took his blood pressure and it was 170/66. He took another diltiazem tonight about an hour ago. After about 30 to 45 minutes his blood pressure was 160/66. Should he go to the emergency room? He just took it again and it is 140 over 80 (2 hours after taking diltiazem tonight).
Hi friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
YES – YOUR HUSBAND MUST be taken to the Emergency Room.
He needs observation for several hours – not for the pressure itself but for the possible ill effects of high dose of Diltiazem....
It is XXXXXXX to take additional Diltiazem – like this.
360 mg is the maximal dose of Diltiazem. (Rarely 480 mg is given)
Large dose like now can lead to HEART MUSCLE DEPRESSION AND HEART FAILURE.
Excess can also bring DOWN THE HEART RATE TO XXXXXXX LEVELS.
Especially so with amiodarone...
BP of 170 or 160 has no immediate danger.
Normally, a drug from a different class is added.
NEVER TAKE A DRUG OR CHANGE THE DOSE WITHOUT DOCTORS’ ADVICE.
GO TO THE ER
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
Welcome to Health Care Magic
YES – YOUR HUSBAND MUST be taken to the Emergency Room.
He needs observation for several hours – not for the pressure itself but for the possible ill effects of high dose of Diltiazem....
It is XXXXXXX to take additional Diltiazem – like this.
360 mg is the maximal dose of Diltiazem. (Rarely 480 mg is given)
Large dose like now can lead to HEART MUSCLE DEPRESSION AND HEART FAILURE.
Excess can also bring DOWN THE HEART RATE TO XXXXXXX LEVELS.
Especially so with amiodarone...
BP of 170 or 160 has no immediate danger.
Normally, a drug from a different class is added.
NEVER TAKE A DRUG OR CHANGE THE DOSE WITHOUT DOCTORS’ ADVICE.
GO TO THE ER
Take care
Wishing speedy recovery
God bless
Good luck
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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