Heart and blood pressure
Calcium channel blockers
Used for
High blood pressure, chest pain
How it works
Keep calcium out of the muscle cells in blood vessels and the heart, so the vessels relax. Diltiazem and verapamil also slow the heart rate.
Watch for
Ankle swelling is common.
- Name clue
- -dipine (diltiazem and verapamil don't follow it)
- Examples
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
- nifedipine (Procardia)
- diltiazem (Cardizem)
- verapamil
More in heart and blood pressure
- ACE inhibitorsHigh blood pressure, heart failure
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)High blood pressure, heart failure
- ARB + neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)Heart failure
- Beta blockersHigh blood pressure, fast heart rate, chest pain
- Alpha blockersEnlarged prostate (BPH); some lower blood pressure
- Thiazide diureticsHigh blood pressure, mild swelling
- Loop diureticsFluid buildup (edema), heart failure
- Potassium-sparing diureticsHeart failure, blood pressure, fluid
- NitratesChest pain (angina)
- Cardiac glycosidesHeart failure, atrial fibrillation
- AntiarrhythmicsIrregular heart rhythms
A study and reference aid. Follow the product labeling and your pharmacist for anything about a patient's medicine.
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