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Calcium channel blockers, also known as calcium channel antagonists, are widely used for a number of health conditions. [8] Thus they are commonly present in many people's homes. In young children one pill may cause serious health problems and potentially death. [8]
Side effects of these drugs may include but are not limited to: Constipation; Peripheral edema, which can occur in as much as 70% of people receiving calcium channel blocker, is caused by calcium channel blockers' preferential arteriolar or precapillary dilation without commensurate dilation in the venous or postcapillary circulation.
Other side effects seen in less than 2% of the population include: edema, congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, diarrhea, fatigue, elevated liver enzymes, shortness of breath, low heart rate, atrioventricular block, rash and flushing. [4] Along with other calcium channel blockers, verapamil is known to induce gingival enlargement. [31]
Diltiazem, sold under the brand name Cardizem among others, is a nondihydropyridine calcium channel blocker medication used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and certain heart arrhythmias. [9]
Antihypertensive agents comprise multiple classes of compounds that are intended to manage hypertension (high blood pressure). Antihypertensive therapy aims to maintain a blood pressure goal of <140/90 mmHg in all patients, as well as to prevent the progression or recurrence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in hypertensive patients with established CVD. [2]
The 8th Joint National Committee (JNC-8) recommends calcium channel blockers to be a first-line treatment either as monotherapy or in combination with thiazide-type diuretics, ACEis, or ARBs for all patients regardless of age or race. [7] The ratio of CCBs' anti-proteinuria effect, non-dihydropyridine to dihydropyridine was 30 to −2. [13]
Class IV agents are slow non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers. They decrease conduction through the AV node, and shorten phase two (the plateau) of the cardiac action potential. They thus reduce the contractility of the heart, so may be inappropriate in heart failure.
Compared with certain other L-type calcium channel blockers (for example those of the phenylalkylamine class such as verapamil) that have significant action at the heart, the dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure mainly by relaxing the smooth muscle of the blood vessel walls. [3]