Drug interactions
Calcium chloride + Diltiazem
Severity: Moderate
Calcium chloride and Diltiazem: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Intravenous calcium chloride raises ionized calcium quickly and can reverse the hypotensive, negative chronotropic and conduction effects of diltiazem. This is used therapeutically in diltiazem overdose but can cause loss of intended effect in routine therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium chloride and Diltiazem can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: increased extracellular calcium overcomes L-type calcium channel blockade.
What to do
Avoid giving IV calcium to patients stabilized on diltiazem unless indicated, such as for toxicity or hyperkalemia. Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and ECG if both are needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Diltiazem
- Diltiazem + Flibanserin Contraindicated
- Diltiazem + Ivabradine Contraindicated
- Diltiazem + Lomitapide Contraindicated
- Diltiazem + Lonafarnib Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Diltiazem Major
- Alfentanil + Diltiazem Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium chloride with Diltiazem?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium chloride and Diltiazem can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Intravenous calcium chloride raises ionized calcium quickly and can reverse the hypotensive, negative chronotropic and conduction effects of diltiazem. This is used therapeutically in diltiazem overdose but can cause loss of intended effect in routine therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium chloride and Diltiazem?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid giving IV calcium to patients stabilized on diltiazem unless indicated, such as for toxicity or hyperkalemia. Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and ECG if both are needed.
What other medicines interact with Diltiazem?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Diltiazem with, for example, Flibanserin, Ivabradine, Lomitapide. The full list is on the Diltiazem page.
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