Diltiazem

[Mrs. Robinson]

Will somebody give me a clue where to find some reliable source on taking diltiazem MR 60mg caps only 1 daily? I can’t see any sense of it, but maybe I’m wrong. Get scripts as a once a day dosage and it’s not initiating treatment.

[johnep]

A lot of the confusion is down to Adizem where have SR twice a day and XL which is once a day. We have received scripts for the bd version to be given once and the od to be given twice.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Originally Posted by johnep

A lot of the confusion is down to Adizem where have SR twice a day and XL which is once a day. We have received scripts for the bd version to be given once and the od to be given twice.
johnep

Watch out for this on EPS, especially for generic scripts for Tramadol. The DM+D does advise that the products should be prescribed by brand, but the DM+D does not distinguish between 12 and 24 hr release.

[johnep]

Oh dear, had not noticed this. We have Zydol tabs and Zamadol caps, so which is 12 hour and which is 24hr. Yes. I know I can check on Monday but am burning with curiosity.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

Originally Posted by johnep

Oh dear, had not noticed this. We have Zydol tabs and Zamadol caps, so which is 12 hour and which is 24hr. Yes. I know I can check on Monday but am burning with curiosity.
johnep

Generally if they are SR in the brand name it is a 12 hour, if XL it is a 24 hour.
However the generic names are all m/r.
Source of information below online BNF. Please check BNF yourself before using this information.

12 Hour
Dromadol SR
Larapam SR
Mabron (No SR in name)
Zamadol SR
Zydol SR


24 Hour
Tradorec XL
Zamadol 24Hr (good naming policy there)
Zydol XL

[johnep]

Not seen any of the tramadol 24hr products as yet. Thanks for the general rule re sr and xl. Hope the manufacturers are consistent. Perhaps pts safety council could be alerted.
johnep

[Linnear]

What really bugs me is when the Drs computer states 8hr, 12hr, 24hr and the doctor ignores it.


e.g. Diltiazem 8hr 1 mane
Adalat 24 hr 1 bd


I used to want to be a doctor but got scared about having my brain removed!

[admin]

This maybe sounds daft, but I know a couple of people who forget which is 24 hours and which is 12. I remember XL is 24 hours by thinking it works for an eXtra long time - i.e. 24 hours instead of 12.

My head is full of rubbish like this!

[Mrs. Robinson]

I try to remember that XL is like a T-shirt in XL size which is larger than normal.

[Linnear]

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson

I try to remember that XL is like a T-shirt in XL size which is larger than normal.

Yeah, but just right for me!

Signed Tubs!