Calcium channel blocker (heart and blood pressure medicine)
Last reviewed July 2026
Who is this for?
Diltiazem is a heart and blood pressure medicine that works by relaxing your blood vessels and slowing down your heart rate, making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
Blocks L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle and cardiac tissue, reducing calcium influx and causing vasodilation, decreased myocardial contractility, and slowed atrioventricular conduction.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule. Never take two doses at once to make up for the one you missed.
Always buy from a trusted pharmacy: do not buy heart medication from roadside sellers or unregistered vendors, as fake drugs are dangerous for your heart. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly even if you feel fine, as it can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure or chest pain. This is a prescription medicine, so do not share it with others even if they have similar symptoms.
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice as it can increase the amount of diltiazem in your blood and cause dangerous side effects. If you are taking heart medicines like digoxin or beta-blockers (e.g. atenolol, propranolol), tell your doctor because combining them with diltiazem can slow your heart too much. Avoid alcohol as it can increase the blood pressure-lowering effect and make you feel very dizzy or faint.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Diltiazem with your other drugs?
Diltiazem is not safe during pregnancy as it can harm your unborn baby, and it passes into breast milk, so do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding without first consulting your doctor.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Nigerian weather can be very hot, so avoid leaving it in your car or near a window. Keep it in its original packaging and far from the reach of children.
For information only: not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under, especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.