Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Diltiazem as follows:
- Avoid or use extreme caution using Diltiazem along with any other medications that cause vasodilation, such as, Isosorbide and Hydralazine. Using them together can result in episodes of extremely low BP and can present an emergency.
- Observe compliance with regular lab work ordered. As kidneys are the main source of elimination of Diltiazem, renal function should be periodically monitored.
- Take a blood pressure reading always before you take the pill. Maintain a log of every day blood pressure reading. If the blood pressure is too low, you can defer taking the medication for that dose. Notify your doctor, if more of such occurrences are happening, so that, your medication dose could be revised.
- If a dose is missed, it should be taken at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Compensating for the missed dose by taking an extra dose can pose serious risk for an episode of extremely low blood pressure and heart rate.
