Calcium channel blockers are a medication used to control high blood pressure, also called hypertension. When arteries and blood vessels carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body, it creates pressure in the artery and vessel walls. High blood pressure usually develops over many years and can occur without you even knowing it. The good news is that once detected, it is treatable. Your doctor may decide to use a calcium channel blocker alone, or in some cases, combine it with other medications to treat your hypertension effectively.
Function
Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium antagonists, lower your blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering the cells of your heart and blood vessel walls. This action slows your heart rate and relaxes the muscles of your blood vessels, allowing blood to flow easily and reducing your blood pressure.
Types
There are multiple calcium channel blockers available on the market. Examples of these medications include amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine and verapamil. In addition, calcium channel blockers come in two different forms, short-acting and long-acting. Short-acting forms work quickly, but the effects only last for a few hours, while long-acting forms release much slower, allowing the effects to last much longer. It will be up to your doctor to decide what type of calcium channel blocker is appropriate for you.
Side Effects
Side effects can occur with the administration of calcium channel blockers and include constipation, headache, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, rash, drowsiness, flushing, nausea and swelling in your feet and lower legs. Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects or anything else that concerns you.
Warnings
Do not consume grapefruit, grapefruit juice or any products containing grapefruit while taking calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit interacts with calcium channel blockers and may reduce the ability of your body to eliminate them, which could be serious. Also, do not smoke while taking calcium channel blockers, which may cause you to experience a rapid heartbeat.
