Diltiazem
CardizemPubChem CID 39186 · 3D model
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Relaxes and widens blood vessels, and slows the heart's electrical signals, by blocking calcium from entering heart and blood vessel muscle cells.
How it works
Diltiazem blocks tiny channels that let calcium flow into the muscle cells lining blood vessels and the heart. Calcium is what makes these muscle cells contract, so blocking it lets blood vessels relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow to the heart muscle. It also slows down the electrical signal that travels through a part of the heart called the AV node, which is why it's used to calm down a heart that's beating too fast or irregularly. Because it eases the heart's workload and boosts its own blood supply at the same time, it helps relieve chest pain without weakening the heart's pumping ability at normal doses.
What it’s used for
Used to treat chest pain caused by narrowed or spasming heart arteries, to lower high blood pressure, and — when given as an IV drip in hospitals — to quickly slow down a racing or irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or sudden episodes of a very fast heart rate.
- Mechanism
- Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
- Drug class
- Small molecule
- Therapeutic area
- Cardiovascular