title: Calcium-channel blockers and end-stage renal disease: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic considerations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the different calcium-channel blockers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calcium-channel blockers have been in use for some time in the end-stage renal disease population. Their primary use has been as antihypertensive and antianginal therapies. In this regard, they are effective agents. Recently, it has been noted that dialysis-related hypotension occurs less frequently in calcium-channel blocker treated patients. Also, access patency and overall patient survival are improved with calcium-channel blocker therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calcium-channel blockers are useful agents for the control of hypertension in end-stage renal disease patients and appear to favorably influence survival in this population. Calcium-channel blockers are not dialyzable and their pharmacokinetics do not substantially change with renal failure therefore they do not require dose adjustment based on level of renal function. Too few studies exist to determine if individual calcium-channel blockers differ in their effects. Prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trials are needed in the end-stage renal disease population to better understand the role of calcium-channel blockers in the excess cardiovascular disease burden of this population.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond 23298, USA. dsica@hsc.vcu.edu
authors.forename: Domenic A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Sica
authors.forename: Todd W B
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Gehr
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007022:Hypotension / Q000517:prevention & control; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers