Cardizem (Diltiazem)

Cardizem belongs to a class of medications, called calcium channel blockers. These medications block the transport of calcium into the smooth muscle cells, lining the coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. Since calcium is important in muscle contraction, blocking calcium transport relaxes artery muscles and dilates coronary arteries and other arteries of the body. By relaxing coronary arteries, cardizem is useful in treating and preventing chest pain (angina) resulting from coronary artery spasm. Relaxing the muscles lining the arteries of the rest of the body, lowers blood pressure, which reduces the burden on the heart as it pumps blood to the body. Reducing heart burden lessens the heart muscle's demand for oxygen, and further helps to prevent angina in patients with coronary artery disease. Cardizem can decrease electrical conduction in the heart and slow heart rate.

Cardizem is used for the treatment and prevention of angina, resulting from coronary artery spasm, as well as from exertion. Cardizem is also used in the treatment of high blood pressure. By slowing electrical conduction in the heart, cardizem has been used in treating abnormally fast heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation.