Calcium channel blockers are medications commonly prescribed to lower blood pressure, slow heart rate or control an irregular heartbeat. These medications act on the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessel walls to slow heart muscle contraction and widen blood vessel walls. While calcium channel blockers can be effective in reducing blood pressure, regular use may have side effects. Let your doctor know if you begin experiencing side effects of calcium channel blockers. Never stop taking a medication without making your doctor aware.
Constipation
Calcium channel blockers may reduce your frequency of bowel movements and cause constipation, states MayoClinic.com. This occurs because the calcium receptors in the muscles of your digestive tract may be blocked, which results in decreased intestinal contraction. Because intestinal contraction is decreased, you may become constipated. In this case, let your doctor know, because she may prescribe a stool softener to ease constipation. Furthermore, you should be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and eat high fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables, when taking a calcium channel blocker.
Swelling
You may notice swelling in your legs after taking calcium channel blockers for a long period of time. This occurs because the calcium channels in the veins in your leg may be blocked, which prevents the veins from pushing blood back up to your heart. If swelling is a problem, your doctor may prescribe a diuretic to help remove excessive fluid from your body. In addition, you should elevate your legs when sleeping at night to reduce swelling.
Drowsiness
Long-term use of calcium channel blockers may cause you to feel drowsy during the day. This may be troublesome because you may experience excessive difficulty completing daily work tasks or other activities of daily living. In this case, you should let your doctor know that the calcium channel blocker is making you drowsy; she may prescribe a different medication to lower your blood pressure.
Rash
A rash may develop after using calcium channel blockers for the long-term. A rash should not be taken lightly, because it can be a sign of a serious reaction related to long-term medication use. In this case, you should immediately make your doctor aware of the rash. Do not apply any topical treatments or creams to the rash without your doctor's approval.
