Helped Over 500,000 patients with 98%+ satisfaction.

Connect & Get Personalized 1-to-1 Answers from Expert Doctors

DoctorSpring > Question Home

Sleeping problems, anxiety as side effect of DILTIAZEM.

Resolved Question:

I have been on lisinoprol 20 mg since dec.11 for hypertension and xanax for anxiety. My doctor added diltiazem ER 120 mg, to relieve the racing heart and palpatations I'm having ECG came out normal. Think the racing heart and palpatations are from anxiety. But I was told that xanax and Diltiazem ER should not be given together. Last night after taking first dosage of Diltiazem ER at 6:00 pm I went to bed at 11:00 took my .25 mg of xanax and 2 hours later woke up for no reason then would wake up every 2 hours. I had been sleeping pretty good till last night. I know sleeping problems are a side effect of Diltiazem and I have much more anxiety than I normally do.

Can you give me your opinion

Category: Cardiologist

Ask Your Own Question

Dr. Vivek Mahajan
Category: Cardiologist
View Profile
 19 Doctors Online

Expert:  Dr. Vivek Mahajan
View Profile

Hello
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
It could be more of anticipatory anxiety expecting diltiazem to cause the side effect because you know about it. You could shift diltiazem to morning hours. Also it woukd have been better if your doctor had started diltiazem not as a high dose sustained release formulation. Instead 30 mg diltiazem 3 times a day and later increasing to sustained release 90 mg followed by increasing to 120 mg woild have avoided side effects of diltiazem if any. Better than diltiazem for anxiety and sinus tachycardia we have newer and better drugs like ivabradine which could be prescribed for you. You could ask your cardiologist to prescribe the same for you. It is devoid of many of the side effects of diltiazem.

Regards
Dr Vivek Mahajan
DM Cardiology

Dr. Vivek Mahajan
Category: Cardiologist
Experience: 
Fellowship: DM, Cardiology, PGIMER, 2013
Residency: MD, Internal Medicine, AIIMS, 2007
Internship: King Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, 2003 
Medical School: MBBS, Seth G.S. Medical College, 2002
Dr. Vivek Mahajan and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

Users who read this, also read:

Make informed and better medical decisions.

Get me answers from Doctors now
19 Online Doctor

Join the 500,000 people who found a smarter, quicker way to get Answers, Recommendations & Expert Opinions.

Expert Doctors at fingertips

Recommendation on next step. Second-opinion.Multi-specialty.

Save Time

Average time for answers: 6 hours.

Save Money

$35 for typical specialist consult vs. $120 for a local appointment.

Free Follow-ups

Clarify, ask further questions for free in private conversation.

100% Satisfaction

Money back guarantee for the 1st reply. MEDNET Quality Board.

Start My Consultation

CHAT NOW

About DoctorSpring.com

Doctor Spring is a novel online Doctor consultation platform where you can get your medical questions answered by leading Doctors. Just Submit your question and rest assured that you will consult a Doctor easily. Once you submit the question, the Doctor from the concerned specialty will reply within hours. You can always ask more questions or add details with follow-up question options and make it an online doctor chat. You may use this service to consult a specialty or for getting medical second opinion. All paid services come with a MEDNET quality assurance and 100% money back guarantee.

DoctorSpring in news