Calcium Channel Blockers are medicines that slow the movement of calcium
into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. This, in turn, relaxes blood
vessels, increases the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, and reduces
the heart's work load.
Purpose
Calcium Channel Blockers are used to treat high blood pressure, to correct
abnormal heart rhythms, and to relieve the type of chest pain called Angina
Pectoris. Physicians may prescribe some Calcium Channel Blockers to treat
panic attacks and Bipolar Disorder (manic depressive illness) and to prevent
migraine headache.
Description
Calcium Channel Blockers are available only with a physician's prescription
and are sold in tablet, capsule, and injectable forms. Some commonly used
calcium channel blockers are Amlopidine (Norvasc), Diltiazem (Cardizem),
Isradipine (DynaCirc), Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), and Verapamil (Calan,
Isoptin, Verelan).