1. Amlodipine

Question 1

drug class

Answer 1

Calcium channel blocker

Dihydropyridine class

Question 2

What is it used for?

Answer 2

hypertension

Question 3

Mechanism of action

Answer 3

• CCBs target calcium-initiated muscle contraction.
• block calcium channels on smooth muscle cells to reduce contraction. This leads to the dilation of blood vessels to reduce total peripheral resistance.
(• L type calcium channels allow inward Ca2+ flux into cells which stimulate release of internal calcium stores which lead to contraction )

Question 4

Important adverse drug reactions

Answer 4

Ankle swelling, flushing, headaches (vasodilation)

Palpitations (compensatory tachycardia)

Question 5

Important drug-drug interactions

Answer 5

amlodipine + simvastatin (increased effect of statin)

Question 6

warnings, contraindications

Answer 6

Unstable angina, severe aortic stenosis