Calcium Channel Blockers – Mayo Clinic

Calcium channel blockers are drugs used to reduce blood pressure. They stop entering calcium into heart and artery cells. It allows the calcium heart and arteries to be trapped more strongly. By blocking calcium, calcium channel blockers allow the relief and opening of the blood vessels.

Some calcium channel blockers can also slow down heart rate. This can also reduce blood pressure. Drugs can be given to alleviate chest pain called angina. They can also help control a irregular heartbeat.

Calcium channel blockers are sometimes called calcium antagonists.

Examples of Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are present in short -acting and long -acting forms. Short -effective drugs work quickly. However, the effects last only a few hours. Long -acting drugs are slowly released. So they take longer. Which is best for you depends on your health and the treated situation.

Examples of calcium channel blockers are as follows:

• Amlodipine (Norvascate).
• Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others).
• Felodipine.
• Isradipin.
• Nicardipine.
• Nifedipine (procardia).
• Nisoldipine (water).
• Verapamil (Velan).

Sometimes a calcium channel blocker can be used with other high blood pressure medications.

When calcium channel blockers are used

Calcium channel blockers are used to treat high blood pressure. However, they can also be used to prevent, treat or improve the symptoms of some cases. Examples:

• Coronary artery disease.
• Chest pain called angina.
• Irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias.
• Blood vessel situations such as Raynaud’s disease.

For black people, calcium channel blockers can work better than other blood pressure drugs. Other blood pressure drugs include beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin 2 receptor blockers.

Side effects

Possible side effects of calcium channel blockers:

• Constipation.
• Dizziness.
• Fast heartbeat you can feel.
• Overstrain.
• Washing.
• Headache.
• Nausea.
• Swelling on the feet and lower legs.

Do not eat grapefruit or grapefruit products when buying calcium channel blockers diltiazem and Verapamil. Grapefruit juice interacts with these drugs and can affect heart rate and blood pressure. This can cause symptoms such as headaches and dizziness.

If you have any questions about the drugs you take, talk to your medical team.