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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Cardizem Be Discontinued Abruptly?

I ve been in a-flutter for past month following 3 cardioversions. One on 6/29. Was on Cardizem but it caused night sweats/flushing 5-6 hrs after dose in evening. off that on 6/23 put on carvedilol 25mg twice a day. since I ve been weak, tired light headed, dizzy with low diastolic pressure (60 to 65) and slower than normal pulse 58-63. Is this a common reaction and can I go off it without tapering? YYYY@YYYY
Tue, 17 Dec 2019
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Cardizem should not be stopped abruptly. Calcium channel blocking agents such as cardizem should not be discontinued abruptly as it may lead on to rebound effects like angina (heart attack), abnormal heart rhythm or stroke. Based on the given brief history you seem to be suffering from some of the common side effects of carvedilol.

You are advised to consult your treating doctor to review the dosage of cavedilol or to prescribe an alternate effective but a safer drug for the treatment of atrial flutter. Abruptly discontinuing carvedilol without gradual tapering of the dose can result in abnormal heart rhythm, worsened chest pain or a heart attack. If at all your doctor will gradually lower your dosage over 1–2 weeks to help prevent these effects.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician
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Can Cardizem Be Discontinued Abruptly?

Hi, Cardizem should not be stopped abruptly. Calcium channel blocking agents such as cardizem should not be discontinued abruptly as it may lead on to rebound effects like angina (heart attack), abnormal heart rhythm or stroke. Based on the given brief history you seem to be suffering from some of the common side effects of carvedilol. You are advised to consult your treating doctor to review the dosage of cavedilol or to prescribe an alternate effective but a safer drug for the treatment of atrial flutter. Abruptly discontinuing carvedilol without gradual tapering of the dose can result in abnormal heart rhythm, worsened chest pain or a heart attack. If at all your doctor will gradually lower your dosage over 1–2 weeks to help prevent these effects. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mohammed Taher Ali, General & Family Physician