Calcium Channel Blockers

Question 1

Where do CCBs work?

Answer 1

smooth vascular tissue and the heart (SA node, AV node, and myocardium)

Question 2

What are calcium channels?

Answer 2

Gated pores in the cytoplasmic membrane

Question 3

Describe the function of each calcium channel location

Answer 3

Vascular smooth muscle: Calcium stimulates contraction

Myocardium: Increase force of contraction

SA node: Increase heart rate

AV node: Increase conduction velocity which increases heart rate

Question 4

Difference between di hydropyridines and non-dihydropyridines

Answer 4

Dihydropyridines: It has many drugs. They only affect the vascular smooth muscle.

Non-dihydropyridines: Only has 2 drugs. They work on both vascular smooth muscle and the heart

Question 5

Dihydropyridine CCBs MOA

Answer 5

Blocks calcium channels in the vascular smooth muscle

Question 6

What conditions do dihydropyridine treat?

Answer 6

Hypertension (cause arterial vasodilation) and Angina pectoris (chest pain)

Question 7

What dihydropyridine are given IV?

Answer 7

Nicardipine and Clevidipine

Question 8

What ending do dihydropyridine share?

Answer 8

-dipine (dipping dots)

Question 9

What conditions do non-dihydropyridine treat?

Answer 9

Angina pectoris
Hypertension
Cardiac dysrhythmias

Question 10

Adverse effects of dihydropyridine

Answer 10

Peripheral edema (most common)
Flushing (red face)
Reflex Tachycardia
Headache

Question 11

Non-dihydropyridine MOA

Answer 11

Blocks calcium channels in both heart and vascular smooth muscle

Question 12

DDI for non-dihydropyridine

Answer 12

Beta-blockers and digoxin (they both block the AV node)

Question 13

DDI for dihydropyridine

Answer 13

Beta Blockers (antagonist relationship, reducing each other’s effect)

Question 14

What drugs cause hypokalemia?

Answer 14

ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Direct renin inhibitors, potassium sparing drugs, and aldosterone antagonist