Calcium Antagonists

Abstract

Calcium antagonists are a heterogeneous group of drugs which block the entry of calcium into the smooth muscle, resulting in vasodilation. They are used for the treatment of hypertension, angina pectoris, supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation and flutter, subarachnoid hemorrhage. Also they can be used for the treatment of biliary and intestinal colic, migraine, esophageal spasm, preterm labor, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, Raynaud's phenomenon, and bipolar disorders. These drugs can be divided into three groups: The dihydropyridine group (nifedipine, nitrendipine, nisoldipine, nicardipine, isradipine, felodipine, amlodipine, lacidipine, nimodipine), phenylalkylamine group (verapamil) and the benzothiazepine group (diltiazem). They can also be used in the elderly patients and patients with COPD, diabetes, renal insuffiency, gout, hyperlipidemia with safety. The short acting group has been shown to increase the risc of myocardial infarction. For this reason, the long-acting drugs have been shown to be more safe. Calcium antagonists have a broad indication spectrum of usage for therapy of several diseases.