title: Calcium antagonists--pharmacologic considerations.
abstract: Calcium antagonists work by blocking the entrance of calcium from the outside of the cell to the inside of the cell through the voltage-dependent calcium channels. There are three major L-type (high voltage) calcium channel blocker sites (a dihydropyridine site for nifedipine, a phenylalkylamine for verapamil, and a benzothiazepine site for diltiazem) and a tetralol T-type (low voltage) calcium antagonist. Calcium antagonists differ in terms of their tissue affinity and vascular selectivity resulting in different therapeutic applications. The initial disadvantage of a short-half has been overcome with drug delivery systems that lower blood pressure over a twenty-four hour period. These calcium antagonists are effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing anginal episodes in African Americans and whites, regardless of age or renin level.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, USA.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Prisant
mesh_terms: D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000188:drug therapy; D044383:Black People; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004338:Drug Combinations; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004338:Drug Combinations