DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE

78/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Bausch Health US LLC

Diltiazem Hydrochloride Adverse Events: High Serious Reaction Rate

97,371 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE

DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Bausch Health US LLC. Based on analysis of 97,371 FDA adverse event reports, DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE has a safety score of 78 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE include DYSPNOEA, FATIGUE, NAUSEA, PAIN, DIZZINESS. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE.

AI Safety Analysis

Diltiazem Hydrochloride has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 97,371 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Bausch Health Us Llc.

The most commonly reported adverse events include Dyspnoea, Fatigue, Nausea. Of classified reports, 74.1% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Diltiazem Hydrochloride reports include a high number of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

The most common reactions are dyspnea, fatigue, and nausea, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. Reports show a significant number of cardiovascular events, including atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

Patients taking Diltiazem Hydrochloride should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Diltiazem Hydrochloride can interact with other drugs, leading to hypotension and other cardiovascular side effects. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 78/100

Diltiazem Hydrochloride received a safety concern score of 78/100 (high concern). This is based on a 74.1% serious event ratio across 33,608 classified reports. The score accounts for 97,371 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

DYSPNOEA3,199 reports
FATIGUE2,638 reports
NAUSEA2,368 reports
PAIN2,363 reports
DIZZINESS2,088 reports
DIARRHOEA2,043 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,996 reports
FALL1,954 reports
HEADACHE1,928 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION1,752 reports
ASTHENIA1,702 reports
PNEUMONIA1,602 reports
ARTHRALGIA1,547 reports
HYPOTENSION1,493 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY1,447 reports
MALAISE1,409 reports
VOMITING1,383 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED1,343 reports
OFF LABEL USE1,291 reports
PRURITUS1,278 reports
CHEST PAIN1,275 reports
COUGH1,275 reports
PYREXIA1,256 reports
HYPERTENSION1,229 reports
DEATH1,213 reports
ANXIETY1,202 reports
INSOMNIA1,167 reports
RASH1,145 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED1,141 reports
CONSTIPATION1,128 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL1,087 reports
DECREASED APPETITE1,059 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED976 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE959 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY956 reports
ASTHMA943 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED924 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING923 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS911 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN866 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE856 reports
DEPRESSION853 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION852 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA845 reports
CONTUSION839 reports
RENAL FAILURE836 reports
BACK PAIN834 reports
BALANCE DISORDER812 reports
INJURY811 reports
DRUG INTERACTION810 reports
MOBILITY DECREASED798 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER780 reports
INFECTION779 reports
WHEEZING772 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE755 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS755 reports
JOINT SWELLING750 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT742 reports
ALOPECIA742 reports
ANAEMIA711 reports
SINUSITIS699 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE695 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION693 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY691 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED656 reports
TACHYCARDIA649 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT646 reports
MYALGIA645 reports
SWELLING639 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS628 reports
SOMNOLENCE622 reports
IMPAIRED HEALING620 reports
SYNCOPE617 reports
PARAESTHESIA615 reports
PALPITATIONS601 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL595 reports
URTICARIA585 reports
ORTHOSTATIC HYPOTENSION571 reports
BRONCHITIS568 reports
COGNITIVE DISORDER551 reports
OEDEMA550 reports
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS550 reports
BLISTER541 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS538 reports
DEPRESSED LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS534 reports
BRADYCARDIA533 reports
DEHYDRATION533 reports
SLEEP DISORDER525 reports
HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED524 reports
TREMOR523 reports
CHILLS518 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION518 reports
SEPSIS516 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED512 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY505 reports
MUSCULOSKELETAL STIFFNESS500 reports
TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS500 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED493 reports
SEDATION492 reports
INFUSION RELATED REACTION489 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure are key safety signals, indicating potential cardiovascular risks.
  • Respiratory issues such as pneumonia and wheezing are also notable, suggesting potential pulmonary side effects.
  • Serious reactions account for 74.1% of all reported outcomes, highlighting the severity of adverse events.

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 20,123, Male: 11,319, Unknown: 59. The most frequently reported age groups are age 77 (1,068 reports), age 69 (743 reports), age 75 (740 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 33,608 classified reports for DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE:

  • Serious: 24,907 reports (74.1%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 8,701 reports (25.9%)
Serious 74.1%Non-Serious 25.9%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female20,123 (63.9%)
Male11,319 (35.9%)
Unknown59 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 771,068 reports
Age 69743 reports
Age 75740 reports
Age 72730 reports
Age 74705 reports
Age 76691 reports
Age 68686 reports
Age 65679 reports
Age 70647 reports
Age 73647 reports
Age 67643 reports
Age 71628 reports
Age 80572 reports
Age 66571 reports
Age 78564 reports
Age 81564 reports
Age 64558 reports
Age 79555 reports
Age 63551 reports
Age 61544 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Diltiazem Hydrochloride can interact with other drugs, leading to hypotension and other cardiovascular side effects. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Diltiazem Hydrochloride, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include dyspnoea, fatigue, nausea, pain, dizziness. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing conditions, especially cardiovascular issues, before starting Diltiazem Hydrochloride. Monitor for signs of serious adverse events such as respiratory distress, chest pain, and cardiovascular symptoms. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor Diltiazem Hydrochloride for safety. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in monitoring patients for serious adverse events and adjust dosages as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

The FDA has received approximately 97,371 adverse event reports associated with Diltiazem Hydrochloride. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Diltiazem Hydrochloride include Dyspnoea, Fatigue, Nausea, Pain, Dizziness. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Dyspnoea (3,199 reports), Fatigue (2,638 reports), Nausea (2,368 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Diltiazem Hydrochloride.

What percentage of Diltiazem Hydrochloride adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 33,608 classified reports, 24,907 (74.1%) were classified as serious and 8,701 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Diltiazem Hydrochloride (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Diltiazem Hydrochloride break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 20,123, Male: 11,319, Unknown: 59. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

The most frequently reported age groups for Diltiazem Hydrochloride adverse events are: age 77: 1,068 reports, age 69: 743 reports, age 75: 740 reports, age 72: 730 reports, age 74: 705 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

The primary manufacturer associated with Diltiazem Hydrochloride adverse event reports is Bausch Health Us Llc. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Diltiazem Hydrochloride include: Diarrhoea, Drug Ineffective, Fall, Headache, Atrial Fibrillation. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

You can report adverse events from Diltiazem Hydrochloride to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Diltiazem Hydrochloride's safety score and what does it mean?

Diltiazem Hydrochloride has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Diltiazem Hydrochloride reports include a high number of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

What are the key safety signals for Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

Key safety signals identified in Diltiazem Hydrochloride's adverse event data include: Atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure are key safety signals, indicating potential cardiovascular risks.. Respiratory issues such as pneumonia and wheezing are also notable, suggesting potential pulmonary side effects.. Serious reactions account for 74.1% of all reported outcomes, highlighting the severity of adverse events.. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Diltiazem Hydrochloride interact with other drugs?

Diltiazem Hydrochloride can interact with other drugs, leading to hypotension and other cardiovascular side effects. Patients should inform their healthcare provider of all medications they are taking. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Diltiazem Hydrochloride.

What should patients know before taking Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

Inform your healthcare provider about any pre-existing conditions, especially cardiovascular issues, before starting Diltiazem Hydrochloride. Monitor for signs of serious adverse events such as respiratory distress, chest pain, and cardiovascular symptoms.

Are Diltiazem Hydrochloride side effects well-documented?

Diltiazem Hydrochloride has 97,371 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions are dyspnea, fatigue, and nausea, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. The volume of reports for Diltiazem Hydrochloride reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Diltiazem Hydrochloride?

The FDA continues to monitor Diltiazem Hydrochloride for safety. Healthcare providers should be vigilant in monitoring patients for serious adverse events and adjust dosages as necessary. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to DILTIAZEM HYDROCHLORIDE based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AmiodaroneVerapamilDigoxin
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.