📌 Medicine Name:
Diltiazem Hydrochloride Injection 5 mg/mL
📋 Description / Prescription:
Diltiazem Injection is a prescription-only intravenous (IV) preparation used primarily in emergency or hospital settings to:
- Control rapid ventricular rates in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter
- Manage paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT)
- Sometimes used in hypertensive crises or perioperative settings (off-label)
Form:
- Clear, colorless to pale yellow sterile solution
- Each mL contains 5 mg of Diltiazem HCl
🔬 Nature / Mechanism of Action:
- A non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
- Inhibits calcium influx into cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle
- Slows AV nodal conduction, decreases heart rate, and reduces myocardial oxygen demand
✅ Advantages / Therapeutic Benefits:
- ⚡ Rapid onset (2–5 minutes) for urgent rate control
- 💉 Ideal for acute cardiac care settings (e.g., emergency room, ICU)
- 🫀 Effectively slows ventricular response without need for electrical cardioversion in some cases
- ⏱️ Short half-life allows for precise control and monitoring
📦 Packaging:
- Available in ampoules or vials
- Typical concentration: 5 mg/mL
- Common volumes: 5 mL or 10 mL ampoules
- Some formulations may be available in pre-filled syringes
🌡️ Storage:
- Store at 20–25°C (68–77°F)
- Protect from light
- Do not freeze
- Once opened, use immediately or per manufacturer’s instructions for stability
⚠️ Precautions:
Use with caution in patients with:
- Sick sinus syndrome, 2nd or 3rd-degree AV block (without pacemaker)
- Hypotension or cardiogenic shock
- Congestive heart failure with low ejection fraction
- Impaired hepatic or renal function
Drug interactions:
- Avoid concurrent IV use with beta-blockers – may cause severe bradycardia or heart block
- Monitor when used with digoxin, amiodarone, anesthetics, and other antihypertensives
👩⚕️ Administration Notes:
- Administer slow IV bolus over 2 minutes, or as continuous IV infusion
- Monitor:
- Heart rate, blood pressure, ECG, respiratory status
- Avoid rapid bolus injection in elderly or those with cardiovascular compromise
👨⚕️ Patient Advice / Clinical Setting Notes:
- This medicine is administered by a healthcare professional only
- Patients should be informed about:
- Possible transient dizziness, flushing, or low blood pressure
- Importance of reporting chest pain, breathlessness, or slow heart rate
- If transferred to oral therapy, ensure overlap and proper titration