Brand Name

Tiazac {Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc.}

Generic Name

diltiazem, pronounced dil TYE a zem

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Tiazac?

Tiazac is a medication that is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, or other conditions caused by coronary artery disease. Tiazac is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers, and works by widening and relaxing your blood vessels to help improve your blood flow. Your doctor may prescribe Tiazac for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Tiazac

Drinking alcohol can lower your blood pressure, which may increase certain side effects of Tiazac. You should not drink alcohol while taking Tiazac.

When you first start taking Tiazac your chest pain may increase or get worse. Tell your doctor right away if your chest pain is severe or ongoing.

Tiazac is a part of a complete program that your doctor has prescribed for you. This program includes diet, exercise, weight control, and possibly other medications. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines closely.

PREGNANCY/BREASTFEEDING:We do not know if Tiazac can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant before taking Tiazac. It is known that Tiazac passes into breast milk and could cause harm to a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Tiazac.

Before You Take Tiazac

You should not take Tiazac if you are allergic to diltiazem.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other heart or blood pressure medications, or if you are taking clonidine (Catapres).

You should not take Tiazac if you have certain heart conditions, particularly “sick sinus syndrome” or “AV block”, unless you have a pacemaker.

Before taking Tiazac, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, low blood pressure or if you have recently had a heart attack.

While you are taking Tiazac try to avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, as it may cause you to feel dizzy. Be cautious when getting up, and do so slowly to avoid falling.

Tiazac Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• antibiotics like clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole) and telithromycin (Ketek)
• antifungal medications like itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), miconazole (Oravig) and voriconazole (Vfend)
• beta-blocker medications like Betapace, Blocadren, Corgard, Coreg, Inderal, InnoPran, Lopressor, Normodyne, Tenoretic, Tenormin, Toprol, Trandate and Zebeta
• buspirone (BuSpar)
• carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol)
• cholesterol medications like atorvastatin (Lipitor, Caduet), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor, Altoprev, Advicor), pravastatin (Pravachol), rosuvastatin (Crestor) and simvastatin (Zocor, Simcor, Vytorin)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
• HIV/AIDS medications like atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept) and ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra)
• quinidine (Quin-G)
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater)
• sedatives like midazolam (Versed) or triazolam (Halcion)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Tiazac. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Tiazac

Tiazac should be taken once a day, with or without food.

You should take Tiazac with a full glass of water.

Do not break, chew or crush the extended-release Tiazac capsule. If you have trouble swallowing the capsule whole you can carefully open the capsule and sprinkle the capsule contents on a small spoonful of applesauce. The applesauce should be swallowed immediately, without chewing, and followed by a glass of cool water. Do not use hot applesauce or a hot beverage after taking Tiazac. Discard any capsule content and applesauce mixture if it is not used immediately. Do not save any medication for later use. Discard the empty Tiazac capsule.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Tiazac, which can lead to potentially serious effects. Discuss your use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Take care to protect yourself from the sun while taking Tiazac, as this medication can make you sunburn more easily. Use protective clothing and SPF when going outdoors and avoid tanning beds while taking Tiazac.

You should follow the instructions on your prescription label and not take Tiazac for longer than recommended by your doctor, or in larger or smaller doses.

Tiazac should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose of Tiazac you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

Tiazac Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Tiazac and

seek emergency medical help immediately

•  SIGNS OF ALLERGY hives, swelling of your face, lips, throat, tongue, ankles, hands or feet
•  breathing difficulties
•  SIGN OF LIVER DAMAGE clay colored stools, jaundice and appetite loss, upper stomach pain, urine that is very dark
•  dizziness
•  fainting
•  pounding or racing heart OR slow heartbeats
•  rash that is red and blistering
•  severe skin reaction that includes a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a purple or red skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness
• drowsiness
• exhaustion or unusually tired feeling
• flushing
• headache
• sore throat or stuffy nose and cold symptoms
• upset stomach

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Tiazac. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Tiazac Description and Dosing

Tiazac is available as extended-release capsules in the following dosages:

120 mg is a lavender/lavender capsule, imprinted with Tiazac 120.

180 mg is a white/blue-green capsule, imprinted with Tiazac 180.

240 mg is a blue-green/lavender capsule, imprinted with Tiazac 240.

300 mg is a white/lavender capsule, imprinted with Tiazac 300.

360 mg is a blue-green/blue-green capsule, imprinted with Tiazac 360.

420 mg is a white/white capsule, imprinted with Tiazac 420.

You should consult your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you believe you may have overdosed with Tiazac seek emergency medical help immediately.

Ingredients in Tiazac

Tiazac contains the active ingredient diltiazem hydrochloride. Other inactive ingredients include black iron oxide, D&C Red No. 28, ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate copolymer dispersion, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Green No. 3, FD&C Red No. 40, gelatin, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polysorbate, povidone, simethicone, sucrose stearate, talc, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.