Calcium channel blockers

These remedies decrease blood tension and take care of other ailments these as upper body suffering and an irregular heartbeat.

By Mayo Clinic Staff members

Calcium channel blockers are remedies used to decrease blood tension. They function by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and arteries. Calcium leads to the heart and arteries to squeeze (contract) much more strongly. By blocking calcium, calcium channel blockers enable blood vessels to unwind and open.

Some calcium channel blockers can also slow the heart amount, which can even further decrease blood tension. The remedies may well also be approved to decrease upper body suffering (angina) and command an irregular heartbeat.

Calcium channel blockers are also identified as calcium antagonists.

Illustrations of calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers are readily available in shorter-acting and prolonged-acting types. Shorter-acting remedies function swiftly, but their outcomes very last only a couple of hours. Extensive-acting remedies are bit by bit released to offer a for a longer period lasting influence. Which one is greatest for you is dependent on your wellness and the ailment being dealt with.

Illustrations of calcium channel blockers include:

  • Amlodipine (Norvasc)
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others)
  • Felodipine
  • Isradipine
  • Nicardipine
  • Nifedipine (Procardia)
  • Nisoldipine (Sular)
  • Verapamil (Calan SR, Verelan)

Sometimes, a health practitioner could possibly prescribe a calcium channel blocker with other superior blood tension remedies or with cholesterol-lowering medication these as statins.

When calcium channel blockers are used

In addition to being used to take care of superior blood tension, a health practitioner also may well prescribe calcium channel blockers to stop, take care of or enhance indicators of ailments, these as:

  • Coronary artery disorder
  • Chest suffering (angina)
  • Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
  • Blood vessel ailments, these as Raynaud’s disorder

For blacks and more mature individuals, calcium channel blockers could possibly function greater than other blood tension remedies, these as beta blockers, angiotensin-changing enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Facet outcomes

Facet outcomes of calcium channel blockers may well include:

  • Constipation
  • Dizziness
  • Quick heartbeat (palpitations)
  • Exhaustion
  • Flushing
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Rash
  • Swelling in the feet and decrease legs

Avoid grapefruit merchandise although having particular calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit juice interacts with the drug and can influence heart amount and blood tension. This can bring about indicators these as head aches and dizziness.