Your patient has diltiazem HCI (Cardizem CD) ordered and wants to mix the capsule into yogurt. How should you respond?

The most appropriate response is that it is not advisable to mix diltiazem HCI with food, as it may alter the medication's pharmacokinetics. Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that is often prescribed to treat hypertension and angina. The medication is formulated as an extended-release capsule, which is designed to provide a controlled release of the active ingredient over a certain period.

Mixing the contents of the capsule with yogurt could potentially disrupt this controlled release mechanism, leading to altered absorption rates and reduced efficacy. Furthermore, there is no option to take diltiazem sublingually, as it is not formulated for that method of administration, meaning that it wouldn’t be effective if taken that way.

It's important for patients to adhere to the prescribed method of taking their medication to ensure proper therapeutic effects and minimize the risk of adverse reactions. Advising against mixing the capsule with food serves the dual purpose of ensuring that the patient receives the medication as intended while preventing any potential complications.