Diltiazem CD Shortage in Canada: Which Brands Are Affected
Quick answer
Several generic diltiazem CD (once-daily controlled-delivery) capsules in Canada have shortage reports in 2026 — including strengths from Apotex, JAMP, Pro Doc, and Sanis — while other CD generics and Cardizem CD have had none on file. Check the live count above and your exact brand and strength. If yours is short, your pharmacist can often switch you to another manufacturer's diltiazem CD at the same strength, but not to an SR, XC, or immediate-release version without your prescriber.
What diltiazem CD is
Diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure, angina, and some heart rhythm problems. “CD” stands for controlled delivery: a capsule taken once a day that releases the drug slowly over 24 hours. It's sold as the brand Cardizem CD and as many generics (Apo-Diltiaz CD, Jamp Diltiazem CD, Pro-Diltiazem CD, Diltiazem CD by Sanis, ratio-Diltiazem CD, and others) in strengths from 120mg to 360mg.
Which products are affected
Diltiazem has more than 100 products on file in Canada, and shortage reports have clustered on the CD generics — often several strengths from the same manufacturer at once. Other manufacturers' CD capsules at the same strength have frequently stayed available. See the current status of every diltiazem product, and match it against the manufacturer and strength on your pharmacy label.
CD, SR, XC and regular tablets are not interchangeable
Diltiazem comes in several release types: CD (once daily), XC (once daily, a different extended-release design), SR (twice daily), and immediate-release tablets (several times a day). They release the drug at different rates, so swapping one for another isn't a like-for-like substitution even at the same total daily dose — it needs your prescriber. Switching from one manufacturer's CD capsule to another manufacturer's CD capsule at the same strength is the usual, simple fix your pharmacist can handle.
Don't stop suddenly or open the capsules
Stopping diltiazem abruptly can make angina or blood pressure worse. Don't open, crush, or chew CD capsules to stretch a supply — that defeats the controlled release and can deliver too much drug at once. Tell your pharmacist before you run out so they have time to source another brand.
Get notified
Search your brand on MedShort, open its page, and use “Notify me” to get an email when its shortage status changes.
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Latest Canadian Shortage Updates
Sources
Guide text last reviewed September 26, 2026; the shortage status shown above is pulled from Health Canada's data and refreshed hourly. MedShort.ca is an independent tracking tool and does not provide medical advice.