Canonical Question
Antihypertensive
Master answer
Calcium Channel Blocker Classification
- Class I – Phenylalkylamines:
- Verapamil
- Reduces HR, contractility and causes vasodilatation, decrease in cardiac contractility, heart rate, and both coronary and peripheral vascular tone.
- Class II – Dihydropyridines:
- main effects are on vasodilatation
- 1st gen = nifedipine
- 2nd gen = felodipine, nimodipine
- 3rd gen = amlodipine
- Class III – Benzothiazepines:
- diltiazem
- some reduction in HR and contractility, also causes vasodilatation, mild to moderate decrease in myocardial contraction, and decreases heart rate by decreasing both the automaticity of the SA node and the rate of conduction in the AV node.
Calcium Channel Blocker Pharmacology
(Include as per the question)
Click here to Open CICMWrecks Table: Calcium Channel Blockers
Class Effects:
- Heart
- V-W Class 4 antiarrhythmic
- Decr SA node automaticity
- Decr AV node conductivity
- Vasodilation
- Negative inotropy
- reflex tachycardia
- 2) Vasculature
- Decr SVR and BP
- Decr Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction
- Incr coronary and cerebral blood flow
- 3) Other
- Tocolytic
- NDMR potentiation.
Gladwin / JC 2021
Exam appearances
| Exam | Exact wording | Relationship | Success |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017B Q08 | Classify calcium channel antagonists and give one example of each class (30% of marks). Describe the pharmacology of Nimodipine including important drug interactions (70% of marks). | historical_member | — |
| 2011B Q17 | Classify the calcium channel blockers and provide one example of a drug for each class (20% marks). Compare and contrast the pharmacology of nimodipine and verapamil (80% marks). | historical_member | — |
| 2014A Q02 | Classify calcium channel blockers, and give an example for each classification. (30% of marks) Describe the pharmacology of verapamil. (70% of marks) | historical_member | — |
| 2022B Q08 | Classify calcium channel blockers providing examples (15% marks). Describe the pharmacology of verapamil (85% marks). | historical_member | — |