Page 26 - RxExam's Naplex Theory Review Part-1

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5. CA-CHANNEL BLOCKERS

Nifedipine = Procardia, Procardia XL, Nimodipine = Nimotop
Adalat, Adalat CC, Afeditab
CR, Nifediac CC, Nifedical
XL

Diltiazem = Cardizem, Cardizem LA, Verapamil = Calan, Calan SR, Isoptin, SR,
Cardizem CD, Diltia XT, Dilt Verelan, Verelan PM,
XR, Tiazac, Taztia XT, Covera HS
Dilacor XR, Matzim LA

Amlodipine = Norvasc Felodipine = Plendil
Isradipine = DynaCirc, DynaCirc CR Nicardipine = Cardene IV, Cardene SR
Nisoldipine = Sular Bepridil = Vascor
Clevidipine = Cleviprex

M/A: Calcium channel blockers produce a dilation of coronary arteries and increase the blood flow to
the heart.

The new updated guidelines for treating Hypertension (Based on NICE and the British Hypertension
Society)

1). Hypertensive patients aged 55 or more, or Black patients of all ages: First line of choice of initial
therapy should be either a calcium channel blocker or a thiazide-type diuretic.

2). Hypertensive patients under 55: (a) First choice initial therapy should be an ACE inhibitor (or an
Angiotensin receptor blocker if an ACE inhibitor is not tolerated).

(b) If initial therapy was with a calcium channel blocker or thiazide-type diuretic and a second drug is
required, add an ACE inhibitor (or an Angiotensin receptor blocker if an ACE inhibitor is not tolerated). If
initial therapy was with an ACE inhibitor, add a calcium channel blocker or a thiazide-type diuretic.

(c) If treatment with three drugs is required, the combination of ACE inhibitor (or an Angiotensin
receptor blocker if an ACE inhibitor is not tolerated), calcium channel blocker and thiazide-type diuretic
should be used.

Dose Special Notes

Nifedipine a). 10-20 mg PO 1). Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat) is indicated for the treatment of
(Tablet) T.I.D (IR). vasospastic angina, chronic stable angina and hypertension.
(Capsule)
(Tablet, ER) b). 30-90 mg PO 2). Patients cannot switch brands of Nifedipine. Procardia XL and Adalat
Q.D (ER) CC should not be considered therapeutically equivalent drugs because
of the differences in their pharmacokinetic parameters.

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