title: Drug interactions with the calcium-entry blockers.
abstract: The increasing use of the calcium-entry blockers has led to an enhanced potential for drug interactions with a variety of different drugs. Interactions with cardiovascular agents are of great concern because of the consequences of synergistic negative dromotropism or inotropism. We therefore assessed the concomitant use of calcium-entry blockers and cardiac glycosides, beta-blockers, antiarrhythmic agents, and other chemical types of calcium-entry blockers from a standpoint of clinical relevance. We also evaluated reported drug interactions with H2-receptor antagonists, anticonvulsants, lithium carbonate, general anesthetics, cytostatic drugs, rifampin, and sulfinpyrazone with regard to clinical implications, along with the modification of calcium-entry blocker dose for concurrent social drug use, such as cigarette smoking and ethanol intake. Although a myriad of potential drug interactions exists for these agents, combination therapy is still a reasonable alternative if doses are adjusted appropriately.
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism*; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides / Q000378:metabolism; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D012306:Risk; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D000431:Ethanol