Norvasc vs. Cardizem

• Are Norvasc and Cardizem the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Norvasc?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Cardizem?
• What is Norvasc?
• What is Cardizem?
• What Drugs Interact with Norvasc?
• What Drugs Interact with Cardizem?
• How Should Norvasc Be Taken?
• How Should Cardizem Be Taken?

Norvasc (amlodipine) and Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride) are calcium channel blockers (CCBs) prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina, and for the treatment of high blood pressure (hyptertension).

Common side effects of Norvasc include:

• headache,
• swelling (edema) of the ankles or feet,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• nausea,
• abdominal or stomach pain, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

Common side effects of Cardizem include:

• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• weakness,
• tired feeling,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• sore throat,
• cough,
• stuffy nose, and
• headache.

Tell your doctor if you have unlikely but serious side effects of Cardizem including:

• fainting,
• slow/irregular/pounding/fast heartbeat,
• swelling of ankles or feet,
• shortness of breath,
• unusual tiredness,
• unexplained or sudden weight gain,
• mental/mood changes (such as depression, agitation), or
• unusual dreams.

Norvasc (amlodipine) is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina, and for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride) is a calcium channel blocker used to prevent chest pain (angina). Cardizem may help to increase your ability to exercise and decrease how often you may get angina attacks. Cardizem is available in generic form.

Norvasc may interact with other blood pressure medications.

Norvasc may also interact with simvastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, diltiazem, and cyclosporine, or other heart medications.

Cardizem may interact with statin drugs and cyclosporine.

Cardizem may also interact with amiodarone, digoxin, atazanavir, cimetidine, quinidine, St. John's wort, azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, rifamycins, buspirone, sirolimus, anti-seizure drugs, benzodiazepines, caffeine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, or other drugs that can raise heart rate.

The usual initial antihypertensive oral dose of Norvasc is 5 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is 10 mg once daily. Norvasc dosages may need to be lowered in patients with liver dysfunction.

Dosage of Cardizem is individually adjusted. Starting with 30 mg four times daily, before meals and at bedtime, dosage is increased gradually (given in divided doses three or four times daily) at 1- to 2-day intervals until optimum response is obtained. The average optimum dosage range is 180 to 360 mg/day.