Care Guides - Drug treatments: Calcium channel blockers

Return to Index Step 1: What is Blood Pressure?Step 2: Take High Blood Pressure Seriously Step 3: What Causes High Blood Pressure?Step 4: Who Gets High Blood Pressure?Step 5: High Blood Pressure is "Silent"Step 6: Diagnosing High Blood Pressure Step 7: Follow-up Office Visits Step 8: Treatment Overview Step 9: Maintain Healthy Habits Step 10: Drug Therapy Step 11: Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home Step 12: You and Your Doctor are a Team Key Points Glossary

*Close Menu*

Drug treatments: Calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers have an immediate effect on reducing blood pressure. They work by relaxing and expanding the blood vessels, allowing blood to pass through more easily. However, studies report that they are inferior to other high blood pressure medications in preventing heart attacks, stroke, or kidney complications. They are often more expensive than diuretics or beta-blockers. Some experts now believe they should be used mainly as a second-line agent.

No one should ever stop taking these drugs abruptly, because such action could dangerously increase the risk of high blood pressure.

These drugs include:

Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor)
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
Nisoldipine (Sular)
Nicardipine (Cardene)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Isradipine (DynaCirc)
Lercanidipine (Zanidip)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Nitredipine (Cardif, Nitrepin)

Side effects

Side effects vary among different preparations and may include:

Fluid accumulation in the feet
Constipation
Fatigue
Impotence
Gingivitis
Flushing
Allergic symptoms

Newer drugs, such as lercanidipine, may reduce or avoid many of these side effects.

Grapefruit and Seville oranges (used in some marmalades) may have a harmful interaction with calcium channel blockers, particularly in the elderly.

Review Date: 6/8/2011
Reviewed By: Steven Kang, MD, Division of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, East Bay Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group, Oakland, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.