Calcium Channel Blockers Important Notes
1. Calcium Channel Blockers Nifedipine
- It causes relaxation by decreasing the intracellular availability of calcium ions
- Causes arteriolar dilatation
- Have a mild effect on veins
- Do not depress the SA node or AV conduction
Calcium Channel Blockers Short Essays
Question 1. Uses of calcium channel blockers.
Answer:
1. Angina pectoris.
- Calcium channel blockers [CCB] reduce the frequency and severity of classical and variant angina.
2. Hypertension.
- CCBs are first-line hypertensive drugs.
3. Arrhythmias
- Verapamil controls ventricular rate in atrial flutter or fibrillation.
4. Peripheral vascular disease.
- Used in Raynaud’s disease for its vasodilator effects.
Question 2. Verapamil.
Answer:
Verapamil is a phenylethylamine that acts as are calcium channel blocker.
Verapamil Mechanism:
- Blocks all types of calcium channels.
- Inhibits calcium movement inside the cell in the depolarization phase.
- Inhibits muscle contraction.
- Decrease calcium currents and calcium entry into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells.
Verapamil Actions:
- Vasodilatation.
- Cardiac depression.
- Reduces BP
- Bradycardia.
- Reduces AV – conduction.
Question 3. Nifedipine.
Answer:
Nifedipine is a rapidly acting dihydropyridine drug.
Nifedipine Mechanism:
Read And Learn More: Pharmacology Question and Answers
- Decreases intracellular availability of Ca++.
- Releases nitric oxide from the vascular endothelium.
- Inhibits cAMP – phosphodiesterase.
- Results in raised smooth muscle cAMP.
Nifedipine Uses:
- Angina pectoris.
- Hypertension.
- The alternative in premature labor.
Nifedipine Adverse effects:
- Flushing, palpitation, headache, ankle edema
- Hypotension.
- Increases frequency of angina.
- Increases urine voiding.
Question 4. Classify calcium channel blockers.
Answer:
calcium channel blockers Classification:
- Phenylalkylamines – Verapamil.
- Benzothiazepine – Diltiazem.
- Dihydropyridine – Nifedipine, Felodipine, Amlodip- ine, Nitrendipine, Lacidipine, Nimodipine.
calcium channel blockers Actions:
- Smooth muscle relaxation.
- Negative chronotropic, inotropic, and dromotropic action on the heart
Calcium Channel Blockers Short Question And Answers
Question 1. Amlodipine.
Answer:
- It is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker
- It has higher vascular selectivity
- It is longer acting drug
- It is absorbed very slowly
- Used in hypertension