Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDIZEM versus PLENDIL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARDIZEM versus PLENDIL.
CARDIZEM vs PLENDIL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Diltiazem inhibits calcium influx into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells during depolarization by binding to L-type calcium channels. This results in coronary vasodilation, decreased myocardial oxygen demand, and negative chronotropic and inotropic effects.
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to vasodilation and reduced peripheral vascular resistance.
Oral: 30-120 mg three to four times daily; extended-release: 120-360 mg once daily. IV: Initial 0.25 mg/kg (max 25 mg) bolus over 2 minutes, may repeat in 15 minutes (0.35 mg/kg); maintenance: 5-15 mg/hour continuous infusion.
Initial: 5 mg orally once daily. Maintenance: 2.5–10 mg orally once daily. Maximum: 10 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 3.0-4.5 hours in healthy adults; may be prolonged to 7-9 hours in elderly, hepatic impairment, or renal impairment; clinically relevant for dosing frequency.
Terminal elimination half-life 2-5 hours in healthy adults; 7-12 hours in patients with hepatic impairment or advanced age
Primarily hepatic metabolism with extensive first-pass effect; approximately 2-4% excreted unchanged in urine; fecal excretion accounts for about 65% of dose as metabolites; renal excretion accounts for about 35% of dose as metabolites.
Renal (approximately 70% as metabolites, <0.5% unchanged); fecal (approximately 10%)
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker