Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB)

AKA: Calcium Channel Antagonist, Calcium Antagonist.
Context:
- It can range from being a Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker to being a Non-dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker.
- It can (often) block the entry of Calcium Ions into Heart and Blood Vessel muscle cells.
- …
Example(s):
- a Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker such as:
  - Amlodipine,
  - Benidipine,
  - Cilnidipine,
  - Efonidipine,
  - …
- a Phenylalkylamine Calcium Channel Blocker such as:
  - Fendiline,
  - Gallopamil,
  - Verapamil.
  - …
- a Benzothiazepine Calcium Channel Blocker such as:
  - Diltiazem,
- …
Counter-Example(s):
See: Hypertension, Heart Arrhythmia, Antihypertensive Drug, High Blood Pressure, Ion Channel Blocker, Beta Blocker, Alpha Blocker.

References

(Wikipedia, 2022) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/calcium_channel_blocker Retrieved:2022-9-22.
- Calcium channel blockers (CCB), calcium channel antagonists or calcium antagonists^[1] are a group of medications that disrupt the movement of calcium () through calcium channels. Calcium channel blockers are used as antihypertensive drugs, i.e., as medications to decrease blood pressure in patients with hypertension. CCBs are particularly effective against large vessel stiffness, one of the common causes of elevated systolic blood pressure in elderly patients.^[2] Calcium channel blockers are also frequently used to alter heart rate (especially from atrial fibrillation), to prevent peripheral and cerebral vasospasm, and to reduce chest pain caused by angina pectoris. N-type, L-type, and T-type voltage-dependent calcium channels are present in the zona glomerulosa of the human adrenal gland, and CCBs can directly influence the biosynthesis of aldosterone in adrenocortical cells, with consequent impact on the clinical treatment of hypertension with these agents.^[3] CCBs have been shown to be slightly more effective than beta blockers at lowering cardiovascular mortality, but they are associated with more side effects. Potential major risks however were mainly found to be associated with short-acting CCBs.

↑ Olson, Kent (2011). “40. Calcium Channel Antagonists". Poisoning & drug overdose (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN 978-0071668330.
↑ Nelson M (2010). "Drug treatment of elevated blood pressure". Australian Prescriber. 33 (4): 108–12. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2010.055.
↑ Felizola SJ, Maekawa T, Nakamura Y, Satoh F, Ono Y, Kikuchi K, Aritomi S, Ikeda K, Yoshimura M, Tojo K, Sasano H (2014). “Voltage-gated calcium channels in the human adrenal and primary aldosteronism". J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 144 (part B): 410–16. doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2014.08.012. PMID 25151951. S2CID 23622821.