Neonatal Drug Therapy Manual

Diltiazem

Disclaimer: Official controlled document is the CHEO and Ottawa Hospital online copy. It is the responsibility of user to ensure that any paper copy version is the same as the online version before use.

Alternate Name(s): 
Cardizem
Classification: 
Antihypertensive
Original Date: 
June 1996
Revised Date: 
Indications: 
  • Myocardinal hypertrophy
  • Pulmonary hypertension
Administration: 
  • IV continuous infusion
  • PO
Dosage: 
  • IV:
    •  5 - 30 mcg/kg/min (pulmonary hypertension)
  • PO:
    •  1 mg/kg/day divided BID, increase as needed to 4 mg/kg/day divided BID or QID

 

 

Side Effects: 
  • CVS: hypotension, arrhythmia, flushing
    • Negative inotropic effects can be very dramatic when administering IV diltiazem for pulmonary hypertension. Arterial monitoring is necessary

  • Local: burning at IV site
Parameters to Monitor: 
  • BP
  • HR
Reconstitution and Stability: 
Compatibility: 

- Solutions Compatible: D5W, 0.9% NaCl, dextrose-saline combinations

 

- Y-site Compatible: dopamine, dobutamine

Notes: 
References: 

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