What Are Calcium Channel Blockers?
Calcium channel blockers, also known as calcium channel antagonists, are medications used to treat various conditions of the heart and blood vessels.
Calcium channel blockers are approved for treating various conditions, including:
Not all calcium channel blockers are approved for treating all of the above conditions.
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.
When and How Do I Take Them?
Some general considerations for when and how to take calcium channel blocker medications include:
- They are taken by mouth, usually one to four times per day, depending on the specific calcium channel blocker used and the condition being treated.
- Some calcium channel blockers should be taken with food, while others should be taken on an empty stomach. Be sure you know exactly how to take your specific calcium channel blocker.
- Many of them should not be taken with grapefruit juice. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before drinking grapefruit juice while taking a calcium channel blocker.
- For calcium channel blockers to work properly, they must be taken as prescribed. Your calcium channel blocker will not work if you stop taking it.
The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The specific type of calcium channel blocker
- The medical condition being treated
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may currently be taking.
As is always the case, do not adjust your calcium channel blocker dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Side Effects of Calcium Channel Blockers
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with calcium channel blockers. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of side effects with you. You can also read about specific side effects for each type of calcium channel blocker by going to the specific drug within the eMedTV Web site.)
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects with calcium channel blockers. However, not everyone who takes the medication will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. When side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
The most common side effects of calcium channel blockers include:
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (palpitations)
- Flushing or hot flashes
- Headaches
- Nausea
- A sore throat
- Swelling or water retention in the hands, feet, or lower legs.
(Click Calcium Channel Blocker Side Effects to learn about the specific side effects of calcium channel blockers, including some of the more serious side effects that you should report to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking a calcium channel blocker if you have:
- An esophageal stricture or other narrowing of the digestive tract
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia), including sick sinus syndrome
- An upcoming surgery
- Aortic stenosis
- Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
- Heart disease, including congestive heart failure
- Kidney disease, including kidney failure (renal failure)
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis or liver failure.
- Low blood pressure
- Myasthenia gravis
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or Lown-Ganong-Levine syndrome
- Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose
People who take too much of a calcium channel blocker may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Confusion
- Decreased mental function
- Drowsiness
- A fast heart rate (tachycardia)
- Fluid in the lungs
- Heart failure
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Lethargy
- Liver problems
- Loss of consciousness
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Nausea or vomiting
- A slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Slurred speech
- Swelling or water retention (edema).
If you happen to overdose on a calcium channel blocker, seek immediate medical attention.
Examples of Calcium Channel Blockers
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers include:
Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers include:
- Diltiazem (Cardizem®, Cardizem CD®, Cardizem LA®, Cartia XT®, Dilacor XR®, Dilt-CD®, Diltia XT®, Dilt-XR®, Taztia XT®, Tiazac®)
- Verapamil (Calan®, Calan SR®, Covera-HS®, Isoptin SR®, Verelan®, Verelan PM®).
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