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Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
Questions And Answers 2024-2025
Already Graded A+
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What are the 2 classes of calcium channel blockers?
1. Dihydropyridines (DHPs) 2.
Nondihydropyridines (nonDHPs)
What are the DHPs?
•Amlodipine
•Felodipine
•Isradipine
•Levamlodipine
•Nicardipine
•Nifedipine
•Nisoldipine
•Clevidipine: IV only for HTN emergencies
•Nimodipine: PO only for subarachnoid hemorrhage
What are the nonDHPs?
1. Diltiazem
2. Verapamil
What is the MOA of CCBs?
Block V gated L-type calcium channels of cardiac and
smooth muscle which decreases Ca++ entry during
depolarization
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Rank CCB drugs/classes that decrease cardiac
contractility (negative inotropy) the best?
Verapamil > Diltiazem >>>> DHPs
Rank CCB drugs/classes that decrease cardiac conduction
(negative chronotropy) the best?
Verapamil > diltiazem >>>> DHPs
Rank CCB drugs/classes that dilate coronary arteries and
increase O2 supply the best?
DHPs >>> diltiazem > verapamil
Rank CCB drugs/classes that dilate peripheral vessels
(decreases total peripheral resistance) the best?
DHPs >>> diltiazem > verapamil
What are the actions and uses of
DHPs?
they dilate peripheral and coronary arterial vessels with
little-to-no effect on heart rate!
**HTN, angina
In which patients are DHPs good for antihypertensive
effects?
Patients with low renin activity:
– Patients of African descent
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
Questions And Answers 2024-2025
Already Graded A+
,2|Page
What are the 2 classes of calcium channel blockers?
1. Dihydropyridines (DHPs) 2.
Nondihydropyridines (nonDHPs)
What are the DHPs?
•Amlodipine
•Felodipine
•Isradipine
•Levamlodipine
•Nicardipine
•Nifedipine
•Nisoldipine
•Clevidipine: IV only for HTN emergencies
•Nimodipine: PO only for subarachnoid hemorrhage
What are the nonDHPs?
1. Diltiazem
2. Verapamil
What is the MOA of CCBs?
Block V gated L-type calcium channels of cardiac and
smooth muscle which decreases Ca++ entry during
depolarization
, 3|Page
Rank CCB drugs/classes that decrease cardiac
contractility (negative inotropy) the best?
Verapamil > Diltiazem >>>> DHPs
Rank CCB drugs/classes that decrease cardiac conduction
(negative chronotropy) the best?
Verapamil > diltiazem >>>> DHPs
Rank CCB drugs/classes that dilate coronary arteries and
increase O2 supply the best?
DHPs >>> diltiazem > verapamil
Rank CCB drugs/classes that dilate peripheral vessels
(decreases total peripheral resistance) the best?
DHPs >>> diltiazem > verapamil
What are the actions and uses of
DHPs?
they dilate peripheral and coronary arterial vessels with
little-to-no effect on heart rate!
**HTN, angina
In which patients are DHPs good for antihypertensive
effects?
Patients with low renin activity:
– Patients of African descent
