Calcium Channel Blocking Agents (Systemic)
Category- Antianginal - Amlodipine; Bepridil; Diltiazem; Felodipine; Isradipine; Nicardipine; Nifedipine; Verapamil
- Antiarrhythmic - Diltiazem; Verapamil
- Antihypertensive - Amlodipine; Diltiazem; Felodipine; Isradipine; Nicardipine; Nifedipine; Verapamil
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy therapy
adjunct - Verapamil
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage therapy - Flunarizine; Nicardipine; Nimodipine
- Vascular
headache prophylactic - Flunarizine; Verapamil
DescriptionAmlodipine, bepridil, diltiazem, felodipine,
flunarizine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, and verapamil
belong to the group of medicines called calcium channel blocking agents.
Calcium channel blocking agents affect the movement of calcium into the
cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, they relax blood vessels
and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its
workload.
Some of the calcium channel blocking agents are used to relieve and control
angina pectoris (chest pain).
Some are also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood
pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for
a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage
the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke,
heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the
risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood
pressure is controlled.
Flunarizine is used to prevent migraine headaches.
Nimodipine is used to prevent and treat problems caused by a burst blood
vessel around the brain (also known as a ruptured aneurysm or subarachnoid
hemorrhage).
Other calcium channel blocking agents may also be used for these and other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription, in
the following dosage forms:
Oral
-
Amlodipine
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Bepridil
-
Diltiazem
-
Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Felodipine
-
Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Flunarizine
-
Isradipine
-
Nicardipine
-
Nifedipine
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Nimodipine
-
Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Verapamil
-
Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
-
Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
-
Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
-
Diltiazem
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
-
Verapamil
-
Injection (U.S. and Canada)
Brand NamesSome commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S. -
- Adalat 8
- Adalat CC 8
- Calan 10
- Calan SR 10
- Cardene 7
- Cardizem 3
- Cardizem CD 3
- Cardizem SR 3
- Dilacor-XR 3
- DynaCirc 6
- Isoptin 10
- Isoptin SR 10
- Nimotop 9
- Norvasc 1
- Plendil 4
- Procardia 8
- Procardia XL 8
- Vascor 2
- Verelan 10
In Canada -
- Adalat 8
- Adalat PA 8
- Adalat XL 8
- Apo-Diltiaz 3
- Apo-Nifed 8
- Apo-Verap 10
- Cardizem 3
- Cardizem SR 3
- Isoptin 10
- Isoptin SR 10
- Nimotop 9
- Norvasc 1
- Novo-Diltazem 3
- Novo-Nifedin 8
- Novo-Veramil 10
- Nu-Diltiaz 3
- Nu-Nifed 8
- Nu-Verap 10
- Plendil 4
- Renedil 4
- Sibelium 5
- Verelan 10
Note:
|
For quick reference, the following calcium channel blocking agents
are numbered to match the corresponding brand names. |
This information applies to the following medicines: |
1. |
Amlodipine (am-LOE-di-peen)‡§ |
2. |
Bepridil (BE-pri-dil)† |
3. |
Diltiazem (dil-TYE-a-zem)‡§ |
4. |
Felodipine (fe-LOE-di-peen) |
5. |
Flunarizine (floo-NAR-i-zeen)* |
6. |
Isradipine (is-RA-di-peen)† |
7. |
Nicardipine (nye-KAR-de-peen)†‡ |
8. |
Nifedipine (nye-FED-i-peen)‡ |
9. |
Nimodipine (nye-MOE-di-peen) |
10. |
Verapamil (ver-AP-a-mil)‡§ |
* Not commercially available in the U.S. |
† Not commercially available in Canada |
‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S. |
§ Generic name product may be available in Canada |
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