Enalapril and Diltiazem, Oral
What are other names for this medicine?
Generic and brand names: enalapril and diltiazem, oral; Teczem
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is a combination of two drugs, an ace inhibitor (enalapril) and a calcium channel blocker (diltiazem). It is taken by mouth to treat and control high blood pressure.
How do I use it?
Your health care provider will determine your dosage by your response to this medicine after a few days or weeks. Take this medicine exactly as directed by your health care provider. Take it for as long as your health care provider tells you, even if you begin to feel better. You may have to take this medicine for a long time.
Take this medicine with water. You may take it with or without food. Taking it with meals may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach. These are slow-release tablets that must be swallowed whole. Do not crush, cut, or chew the tablets.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.
What should I watch out for?
Contact your health care provider if you become lightheaded or if you faint. Your blood pressure may have become too low.
Females of childbearing age: If you are pregnant, do not take this medicine during the fourth through ninth months of pregnancy because it can harm the baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you are unable to reach your health care provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat, or trouble breathing.
Serious (Report these to your health care provider right away): Lightheadedness or fainting; a rash that continues beyond a few days; decrease in urine flow.
Other: Headache, cough, tiredness, chest infection.
What products might interact with this medicine?
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:
- beta blockers such as carteolol (Cartrol), bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol (Visken), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), timolol (Blocadren), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), penbutolol (Levatol), nadolol (Corgard), sotalol (Betapace), acebutolol (Sectral), and propranolol (Inderal)
- carbamazepine (Tegretol)
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)
- digoxin (Lanoxin)
- diuretics (water pills) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix), furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex), and spironolactone (Aldactone)
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithonate, Lithane, Lithobid)
- potassium supplements such as K-Dur, K-Lyte/Cl, Kaon-Cl, Klorvess, and Micro-K.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
