Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are prescribed medications used to treat various conditions of the heart and blood vessels. Specifically, calcium channel blockers can treat high blood pressure, certain irregular heart rhythms, and chest pain. The medications help to slow down the rate of calcium movement to the heart and blood vessel walls, which relaxes the vessels and improves blood flow. Potential side effects of calcium channel blockers include swelling, fatigue, and headaches.

 

What Is a Calcium Channel Blocker?

Calcium channel blockers, also known as calcium channel antagonists, are medications used to treat various conditions of the heart and blood vessels.
 

What Are Calcium Channel Blockers Used For?

Calcium channel blockers are approved for treating various conditions, including:
 
Not all calcium channel blockers are approved for treating all of the above conditions.
 
(Click Calcium Channel Blocker Uses for more information on these uses, along with possible off-label uses for calcium channel blocker medications.)
 

How Do Calcium Channel Blockers Work?

Calcium channel blockers help to slow down the rate at which calcium moves into your heart and blood vessel walls.
 This, in turn, helps to relax the blood vessels, which improves blood flow and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood.
 
There are two basic types of calcium channel blockers, dihydropyridine and non-dihydropyridine. The most important difference between the two types is that non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers can slow down the heart rate, while dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers do not. Because non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers slow down the heart rate, they can be useful for certain types of arrhythmias.
 
(Calcium Channel Blockers Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;