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How They Work:
Calcium is an agent that helps cause smooth muscles cells to contract. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB’s) block the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. Blocking the calcium helps to relax blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload. Unfortunately, less than 30% of people with PH are “responders” to CCB’s.
CCB’s are also prescribed for systemic hypertension, but in much lower dosages than when they are prescribed for PH. It is not unusual for CCB’s to cause fluid retention.
Calcium Channel Blockers & Brand Names:
| Generic Name |
Brand Names |
Amlodipine
* Tablets (U.S. and Canada) |
Norvasc® |
Diltiazem (dil-TYE-a-zem)
* Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
* Tablets (U.S. and Canada) |
Cardizem®
Dilacor-XR® (U.S.)
Novo-Diltazem (Canada)
Nu-Diltiaz (Canada)
Syn-Diltiazem® (Canada) |
Nifedipine (nye-FED-i-peen)
* Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
* Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada) |
Adalat®
Procardia®
Novo-Nifedin (Canada) |
Felodipine (fe-LOE-di-peen)
* Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada) |
Plendil®
Renedil® (Canada) |
Isradipine (is-RA-di-peen)
* Capsules (U.S.) |
DynaCirc® (U.S.) |
Nicardipine (nye-KAR-de-peen)
* Capsules (U.S.) |
Cardene® (U.S.) |
Verapamil (ver-AP-a-mil)
* Extended-release capsules (U.S. and Canada)
* Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
* Extended-release tablets (U.S. and Canada) |
Calan® (U.S.)
Isoptin®
Verelan®
Novo-Veramil (Canada)
Nu-Verap (Canada) |
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