Calcium Channel Blocking Agents

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You are here : 3-RX.com > Drugs & Medications > Detailed Drug Information (USP DI) > Calcium Channel Blocking Agents

Calcium Channel Blocking Agents (Systemic)

Description

Amlodipine, 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
- Tablets (U.S.)
Diltiazem
- Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
- Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Felodipine
- Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Flunarizine
- Capsules (Canada)
Isradipine
- Capsules (U.S.)
Nicardipine
- Capsules (U.S.)
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 Names

Some 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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		Calcium Channel Blocking Agents: Before Using

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Calcium Channel Blocking Agents (Systemic)

Category

Description

Brand Names