Guest guest Posted July 30, 2002 Report Share Posted July 30, 2002 Hi, Ten months ago I was started on 300 mg Cardizem / Diltiazem. I whittled it down to now 90 mg. Unfortunately my cardio is not familiar with a time released version at this dosage and I have missed taking this pill a number of times. Has anyone ever tried to reduce the content of a time released capsule (shaving it off for instance). I took 120 mg before and have a few of these capsules left. I also asked my cardio what kind of " cure " he would recommend for my kind of Afib. His answer: a lot is happening in this field. Nothing he would recommend for me right now. He wants to see procedures further perfected and I had time to wait. Patience is not one of my strengths, but with Afib a necessity. / Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2002 Report Share Posted July 30, 2002 , I have reduced the dosage of various meds by shaving the pills, but I caution you to run this by your doc and/or pharmacist first. If the result is the pill crumbles or flakes too much, instead of time release you will get it hitting your blood stream all at once. Some pills have divisions in them so they can be cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 30, 2002 Report Share Posted July 30, 2002 Hi Trudy, I appreciate your information. The cardizem capsule can be twisted open and comes filled with tiny pellets. I had gone ahead already and reduced the dosage by keeping one part filled and taking the balance off. It's my cardio who suggested taking the pills until I find out how the time released capsule works. If I can find out. I can't take anything on an empty stomach, take my vitamins with breakfast, and am supposed to take my first cardizem pill between breakfast and lunch. I stormed out many mornings, completely forgetting this pill and even taking it with me hasn't helped. All my other meds are taken at night. / > , > > I have reduced the dosage of various meds by shaving the pills, but I > caution you to run this by your doc and/or pharmacist first. If the > result is the pill crumbles or flakes too much, instead of time > release you will get it hitting your blood stream all at once. > > Some pills have divisions in them so they can be cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2002 Report Share Posted July 31, 2002 , you know I take Cardizem also, in the form of Cardizem CD (time release) 240mg daily. My understanding is that it lowers my heart rate so that when I am in afib, rate is controlled. It has made my attacks somewhat tolerable. I take an extra 60mg (not time release) at the onset of an episode. Just wanted to tell you my regimen with it as it is prescribed by the cardiologist. Sandy P.S. Good suggestion from Trudy, to check with your doc first, before lowering dosage. Re: Cardizem / Diltiazem > , I > caution you to run this by your doc and/or pharmacist first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2002 Report Share Posted July 31, 2002 Hi , I think your cardio really isn't current with what's happening in the field in facilities like the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Focal Point Catheter Ablation is becoming almost a routine procedure with a very good success rate in curing a-Fib permanently. You might consider switching to an Electrophysiologist---a Cardiologist who specializes in the electrical activity of the heart and in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. You can find one at the NASPE web site http://www.naspe.org. or check out the attached list. lisam20011 wrote: > > Hi, > > Ten months ago I was started on 300 mg Cardizem / Diltiazem. I > whittled it down to now 90 mg. Unfortunately my cardio is not > familiar with a time released version at this dosage and I have > missed taking this pill a number of times. Has anyone ever tried to > reduce the content of a time released capsule (shaving it off for > instance). I took 120 mg before and have a few of these capsules > left. > > I also asked my cardio what kind of " cure " he would recommend for my > kind of Afib. His answer: a lot is happening in this field. Nothing > he would recommend for me right now. He wants to see procedures > further perfected and I had time to wait. > > Patience is not one of my strengths, but with Afib a necessity. > > / > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2002 Report Share Posted July 31, 2002 Hi, Thanks for all your good advise which I will try to answer in one response. Medication / Cardizem: Since with all my meals I take vitamins, and they can interact with my meds, I am supposed to take the med 2 hours before or 2 hours after a meal - and at mealtime it's normally when I remember I forgot to take it. What would help, is a timer. No recommendations, please. I know I wouldn't use it. It worked well for me in the past when I could take all my meds in the evening. I am still trying to get an answer to my time release question. My Cardio - is quite cooperative. Something I really appreciate and he considers me a participant in all decision making. He allows me to experiment - even if he disagrees - and I keep him informed. I started out with this farfetched hope that with lifestyle changes, vitamins, etc. I could conquer Afib, and haven't quite given up here yet. As to the 'cures' that are available right now, I join the group of " chickens " . Procedures that are currently being evaluated are less invasive and expected to have a higher 'cure' rate for permanent afib. Willing to wait. / > Hi , > I think your cardio really isn't current with what's happening in > the field in facilities like the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic > Foundation. Focal Point Catheter Ablation is becoming almost a routine > procedure with a very good success rate in curing a-Fib permanently. You > might consider switching to an Electrophysiologist---a Cardiologist who > specializes in the electrical activity of the heart and in the diagnosis > and treatment of heart rhythm disorders. You can find one at the NASPE > web site http://www.naspe.org. or check out the attached list. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 31, 2002 Report Share Posted July 31, 2002 <<Diltiazem comes as a tablet and an extended- or dual-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken three or four times a day with or without food. The capsule is usually taken one or two times a day. The extended-release capsule (Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, Diltia XT) should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The extended-release capsule (Tiazac) may be taken with or without food. The dual-release capsule (Cardizem CD) may be taken with food >> , I found the above information on Medline and thought it might be helpful to you. Since Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker, I wonder if you could take Verapamil instead? You might want to ask your doctor because I don't think Verapamil has any restrictions regarding taking with or without food. At least I take Verapamil with vitamins and minerals, and I don't think there's a problem. Also, Verapamil is available in a time release pill although I didn't find that as effective in keeping me out of afib. in sinus in Seattle (Day 70) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2002 Report Share Posted August 2, 2002 Hi , Thanks for your suggestions. I will certainly look into it. For anyone who is interested. Taking meds with food: Even meds that can be taken with foods should not be combined with Bran or hi-fiber foods. They interfere with absorption of meds. Combining meds and vitamins: Some vitamins are known to interfere with meds, others we just don't know enough about. As a general rule it might be best to take them separately. As long as I have to stay on meds, at least I want my meds to work as effectively as possible on the lowest acceptable dosage. / > > > <<Diltiazem comes as a tablet and an extended- or dual-release (long-acting) > capsule to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken three or four times a > day with or without food. The capsule is usually taken one or two times a > day. The extended-release capsule (Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, Diltia XT) should > be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. > The extended-release capsule (Tiazac) may be taken with or without food. The > dual-release capsule (Cardizem CD) may be taken with food >> > > , > I found the above information on Medline and thought it might be helpful to > you. Since Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker, I wonder if you could > take Verapamil instead? You might want to ask your doctor because I don't > think Verapamil has any restrictions regarding taking with or without food. > At least I take Verapamil with vitamins and minerals, and I don't think > there's a problem. Also, Verapamil is available in a time release pill > although I didn't find that as effective in keeping me out of afib. > in sinus in Seattle (Day 70) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 2, 2002 Report Share Posted August 2, 2002 Hi , Thanks for your suggestions. I will certainly look into it. For anyone who is interested. Taking meds with food: Even meds that can be taken with foods should not be combined with Bran or hi-fiber foods. They interfere with absorption of meds. Combining meds and vitamins: Some vitamins are known to interfere with meds, others we just don't know enough about. As a general rule it might be best to take them separately. As long as I have to stay on meds, at least I want my meds to work as effectively as possible on the lowest acceptable dosage. / > > > <<Diltiazem comes as a tablet and an extended- or dual-release (long-acting) > capsule to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken three or four times a > day with or without food. The capsule is usually taken one or two times a > day. The extended-release capsule (Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, Diltia XT) should > be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. > The extended-release capsule (Tiazac) may be taken with or without food. The > dual-release capsule (Cardizem CD) may be taken with food >> > > , > I found the above information on Medline and thought it might be helpful to > you. Since Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker, I wonder if you could > take Verapamil instead? You might want to ask your doctor because I don't > think Verapamil has any restrictions regarding taking with or without food. > At least I take Verapamil with vitamins and minerals, and I don't think > there's a problem. Also, Verapamil is available in a time release pill > although I didn't find that as effective in keeping me out of afib. > in sinus in Seattle (Day 70) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 2002 Report Share Posted August 15, 2002 What is the difference between the extended release tiazac and cardizem SR. I thought they are both time released calcium blockers. Thanks, Ken Re: Re: Cardizem / Diltiazem <<Diltiazem comes as a tablet and an extended- or dual-release (long-acting) capsule to take by mouth. The tablet is usually taken three or four times a day with or without food. The capsule is usually taken one or two times a day. The extended-release capsule (Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, Diltia XT) should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. The extended-release capsule (Tiazac) may be taken with or without food. The dual-release capsule (Cardizem CD) may be taken with food >> , I found the above information on Medline and thought it might be helpful to you. Since Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker, I wonder if you could take Verapamil instead? You might want to ask your doctor because I don't think Verapamil has any restrictions regarding taking with or without food. At least I take Verapamil with vitamins and minerals, and I don't think there's a problem. Also, Verapamil is available in a time release pill although I didn't find that as effective in keeping me out of afib. in sinus in Seattle (Day 70) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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