Calcium Channel Blockers
These work by “relaxing” the heart muscle and coronary arteries and the effect of this is to increase blood flow and to reduce the force of contraction of the main ventricle of the heart. Generally the blood vessels are dilated. The dose may gradually be increased.
The therapeutic effects in calcium channel blockers may vary.
Commonly used medications are:
Verapamil (Trade name Cordilox, Securon Univer)
(40mg three times a day or 80mg three times a day)
Diltiazem (Tildiem, Angitil and Slozem are commonly used trade names).
(60mg twice a day or three times a day)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Coracten, Cardilate)
- Adalat (5mg three times a day to 20mg three times daily)
- Coracten (30mg in the morning)
- Cardilate (10mg twice a day)
Felodipine (Plendil) (5mg slow release, each morning)
- Amlodipine (Istin) (5mg once a day)
Side effects
- Flushing, headaches, dizziness, palpitations and ankle swelling.
- Constipation is the most common side effect of verapamil.
