Calcium Channel Blockers

Question 1

mechanism of action

Uses:

AE:

Answer 1

Inderal
Tenormin
Lopressor
Visken

Mech Action: Ca channel on smooth muscle and cardia myocetes, cardiac nodal tissue (Sinoatrial and AV nodes), causing vasodilation, decreasing myocardial forces
-neg inotropy
-decrease HR (neg chronotropy) and decrease conduction velocity

Uses: HTN, angina pectoris, coronary artery spasms, SVT, pulmonary HTN, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and Raynaud’s (first line)

AE: HA, peripheral edema –> b/c vasodilate, bradycardia, HF, and heart block, hypotension, reflex tacky.

Question 2

Dihydropyridines

Answer 2

Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Felodipine (Cardene)
Isradipine (Dynacirc)

Question 3

NonDihydropyridines
-contraindications

Answer 3

Verapamil (Verlan)- do not mix with erythromycin and clarithromycin

Diltiazem (Cardizem)

-contraindications: AV block or can lead to an AV block=bradycardia (2 and 3rd semester) bradycardia, HF reduced EF (HFrEF)

Question 4

Which Ca channel class Non-dihydropyridine or dihydropyridine causes ankle edema? name a drug?

Answer 4

Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers like verapamil (Verelan) may have the side effect of ankle edema and should not be given to patients with a history of heart failure. Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers like amlodipine (Norvasc) do not have this side effect.