Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARTIA XT versus DILT CD.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CARTIA XT versus DILT CD.
CARTIA XT vs DILT-CD
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Diltiazem, a benzothiazepine calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium ion influx across cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells during depolarization, leading to vasodilation and reduced myocardial contractility and conduction velocity, particularly at the AV node.
Diltiazem inhibits calcium ion influx during depolarization of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby reducing intracellular calcium levels. It decreases sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodal conduction and dilates coronary and peripheral arteries.
Diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules (CARTIA XT) are administered orally. For hypertension and angina, the typical adult dose is 180–360 mg once daily, initially 180 mg once daily, titrated to response.
180-360 mg PO once daily (extended-release); 300-540 mg PO once daily for hypertension; 120-480 mg PO once daily for angina; IV: 0.25 mg/kg bolus over 2 min, then 5-15 mg/hr continuous infusion.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal half-life 3-4.5 hours; prolonged in hepatic impairment (up to 15 hours) or with cimetidine.
Terminal elimination half-life 7-10 hours; clinically relevant in hepatic impairment (prolonged to 14-20 hours) and in elderly
Renal (biliary/fecal minimal). 70-80% excreted as inactive metabolites in urine; 15% unchanged.
Renal 2-4% unchanged; extensive hepatic metabolism; 60-70% fecal, 30-40% renal as metabolites
Category C
Category C
Calcium Channel Blocker
Calcium Channel Blocker