title: Calcium-channel blockers in acute hypertension.
abstract: The acutely hypertensive patient may present with a broad spectrum of dysfunction. Given the wide variety of signs and symptoms, clinical settings, pathophysiological mechanisms, and type of end organ dysfunction, there is no ideal antihypertensive agent. In selecting an agent for treating such patients, the physician must consider efficacy in a variety of settings, rapidity of onset of action, duration of action, and ease of administration. In addition, one should keep in mind the risk of producing hypotension, the contraindication profile, the side-effect profile, and the cost and long-term usefulness of the agent. In this review, the calcium channel blockers verapamil and nifedipine are compared with drugs such as nitroprusside, diazoxide, hydralazine, labetalol, and clonidine. Verapamil, by intravenous administration, has a rapid onset of action, a reasonable duration of effect, a good side-effect profile, and appears to be useful on a long-term basis. Nifedipine, by oral or buccal administration, is useful in a variety of settings and had a rapid onset of action and reasonable duration of effect. In addition, nifedipine rarely causes hypotension, has minimal contraindications, an excellent side-effect profile, reasonable cost, and long-term utility. There is now extensive worldwide experience with verapamil and nifedipine in acute hypertension. They compare favorably with currently used agents.
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004630:Emergencies; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009599:Nitroprusside / Q000009:adverse effects; D012306:Risk; D014700:Verapamil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009599:Nitroprusside; D014700:Verapamil; D009543:Nifedipine