CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

SUMMARY

1. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) depress cardiac contractility.

2. Types: dihydropyridines (amlodipine, felodipine, nicardipine), or non-dihydropyridines (verapamil and diltiazem), that also reduce HR.

3. SE may include diuretic-resistant edema (especially with dihydropyridines) and constipation (especially with verapamil).

4. Edema seems to form because the drugs vasodilate and fluid leaks into the interstitium, less likely to occur if the dihydropyridine is given with an ACEI.

5. Because of negative inotropic and chronotropic effects, do not give verapamil or diltiazem to patients also taking beta-blockers or who have heart blocks or severe heart failure.

Reference(s)

Wilkinson, I. (2017). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Hannaman, R. A., Bullock, L., Hatchell, C. A., & Yoffe, M. (2016). Internal medicine review core curriculum, 2017-2018. CO Springs, CO: MedStudy.
Therapeutic Guidelines. Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited. https://www.tg.org.au [Accessed 2021].