Posted by Mark (209.226.122.20) on September 16, 2000 at 23:28:03:
In Reply to: verapamil posted by brij k on August 04, 2000 at 16:46:12:
I read one of the messages and felt that I had to respond.
Tiazac is the brand name; diltiazem is the generic name.
The verapamil that was mentioned is actually the generic
name and the brand name in Canada is Chronovera. They are both
members of a class of drug called Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB's)
but they are not the same. Tiazac is a new and improved version
of an older drug called Cardizem CD. The new delivery technology
called Macrocap allows for better and smoother levels of diltiazem
over a 24 hour period and, as such, controls a persons blood pressure
better. It is a significant improvement over the older Cardizem CD
and is significantly better than the generics that are available.
Chronovera is an improved version of Isoptin SR. They both reduce
heart rate althought Chronovera seems to reduce it much more than Tiazac.
This is bad onless you have really high blood pressure. Tiazac has better
side effects than Chronovera. In fact, constipation is a real issue
with verapamil even with the new formulation. Tiazac, the newer version, is
better for your patients as it's significantly smaller than Cardizem CD,
is significantly less expensive and controls your patients blood pressure better.
I just thought that I'd inform anyone who is deciding between the two. In this case,
Tiazac is significantly better for the patient than "any" of the generics that
are available. That's fact !!!!
An educated MD.