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Abstract

The calcium channel blockers, a diverse group of cardiovascular drugs, exert their action by inhibiting the L-type calcium channels and cause vasodilatation in the heart and the smooth muscles. They also block the action potential at the SA and AV node, thus prolonging the duration of the action potential (Verapamil and Diltiazem). Although, the calcium channel blockers have the same anti-hypertensive actions, they have a vast difference in their pharmacological actions, pharmacokinetic profile, and adverse reactions. The main aim was to review, compare, and understand the complete pharmacological profile of all the calcium channel blockers and understand their place in pharmacotherapy. Numerous articles and studies showed that amlodipine remains to be the safe and effective drug of choice in chronic hypertension due to its slow, prolonged duration of action and lesser incidence of reflux tachycardia. The newer calcium channel blockers, although similar to amlodipine in blood pressure lowering effect, have several pharmacological advantages. Felodipine was found to be slightly better than amlodipine in the treatment of ischemia/angina due to its high pre-load reducing the effect. Lercanidipine was found to be a better reno-protective agent than amlodipine due to its actions in the kidney. Benidipine was found to be an excellent, antiatherosclerotic, and reno-protective agent. The incidence of baroreceptor activation and pedal edema was also found to be lower in the newer calcium channel blockers. Hence, the new generation calcium channel blockers could be preferred for various cardiovascular problems. 2. General Pharmacology: A high cytosolic calcium concentration causes increased contraction of the heart and the vascular smooth muscles 3. Calcium generally enters the cell via the slow Ltype calcium channels from the extracellular fluid into the cytosol, which causes an increased release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and