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How Do Non-Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers Work? Uses, Side Effects, Drug Names

How Do Non-Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers Work?

HOW DO NONDIHYDROPYRIDINE CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS WORK?

Nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are a class of antiarrhythmic drugs used to treat tachydysrhythmias (abnormal cardiac rhythm with a rate greater than 100 beats per minute) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Nondihydropyridines are one of the different types of calcium channel blockers; they act mainly on the heart with less effect on blood vessels. They have a greater depressive effect on cardiac conduction and contractility but are less potent vasodilators than other types of calcium channel blockers (dihydropyridines).

Nondihydropyridines work by blocking the calcium channels present in the heart muscle and reduce the influx of calcium into cardiac muscle cells (myocytes), leading to a decrease in the heart rate and contractions of the heart muscle.

Normally, the influx of calcium into cardiac myocytes increases the automaticity and conduction velocity of pacemaker cells, thereby increasing the heart rate. Calcium also increases the force of contraction of nonpacemaker cardiac myocytes, thereby increasing the stroke volume.

HOW ARE NONDIHYDROPYRIDINE CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS USED?

Nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are used to treat:

  • Hypertension
  • Tachydysrhythmias
  • Angina (chest pain caused by lack of oxygen to the heart muscle)
  • Atrial fibrillation (irregular and rapid heartbeats in the upper chambers of the heart)
  • Atrial flutters (rapid contractions of the upper chambers of the heart)
  • Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (abnormal heart rhythm with symptoms of regular but rapid heartbeat that starts and stops abruptly)
  • Severe kidney disease
  • Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes)

WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF NONDIHYDROPYRIDINE CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS?

Side effects of nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers may include:

  • Constipation
  • Tiredness
  • Reduced contractility of the heart
  • Worsening of cardiac output
  • Bradycardia (low heart rate)
  • Gingival hyperplasia (overgrowth of gum tissue around the teeth)
  • Hyperprolactinemia (increase in serum prolactin levels)
  • Atrioventricular block (heart block caused by impairment of electrical impulses traveling from atria to other chambers of the heart)
  • Cardiotoxicity

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

WHAT ARE NAMES OF NONDIHYDROPYRIDINE CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS?

Generic and brand names of nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers drugs include:

  • Dilatrate
  • Diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Cartia XT, Dilacor, Dilacor XR, Dilt-CD, Diltazem, Diltazem CD, Diltia XT, Diltiaz, Diltiaz CD, Diltiaz SR, Diltiazem CD, Diltiazem SR, Taztia XT, Tiazac)
  • Dilzem
  • Verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Covera HS, Isoptin, Isoptin IV, Isoptin SR, Verap, Verapamil SR, Verelan, Verelan PM)
References
https://reference.medscape.com/drugs/calcium-channel-blockers-non-dihydropyridine