Definition

A type of medication that helps to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow, often used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, and certain heart conditions.

Example

The doctor prescribed diltiazem to help manage my high blood pressure.

Conversation

Have you heard about diltiazem?

Yeah, isn’t it used for treating high blood pressure?

Exactly! It's also prescribed for some heart problems.

I should look it up; it sounds interesting.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'diltiazem' is a coined term from the pharmaceutical industry, combining 'dil' (from 'dilute'), 'tia' (from 'thiazine', a class of compounds), and 'zem' (a suffix used in many drug names). It does not have traditional roots in Latin or Greek but is derived from chemical nomenclature. The name reflects its function as a medication that dilates blood vessels and is related to thiazine compounds.

Memory Tip

Think of 'dilute' as making something less concentrated, which helps you remember that diltiazem is used to dilate blood vessels.

Visually Confused Words