title: Some similarities and differences between verapamil and the dihydropyridines.
abstract: GROUPS OF CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS: The calcium channel blockers comprise a heterogeneous group of drugs. From both pharmacological and clinical points of view, they can be divided into three groups: the dihydropyridines, the phenylalkylamines and the benzothiazepines. REASONS FOR DIFFERENCES: There are important clinical and functional differences between the three groups. This may be explained by the fact that these families bind at different sites to the calcium channel. In this review, the major differences between the three groups are discussed, with an emphasis on verapamil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Antonios
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: MacGregor
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D004095:Dihydropyridines / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects; D014700:Verapamil / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004095:Dihydropyridines; D014700:Verapamil