Calcium channel–blockers are used to treat
hypertension
,
angina
,
heart arrhythmias
, and other heart-related conditions.
Drugs in this family include
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
- bepridil hydrochloride (Vascor)
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, Tiamate, Tiazac)
- felodipine (Plendil)
- isradipine (DynaCirc, DynaCirc CR)
- nicardipine hydrochloride (Cardene, Cardene SR)
- nifedipine (Procardia, Procardia XL, Adalat, Adalat CC)
- nimodipine (Nimotop)
- nisoldipine (Sular)
- verapamil (Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Verelan)
- and others
Possible Decreased Action of Drug
Taking calcium and vitamin D supplements might interfere with some of the effects of calcium channel–blockers.
1–7
Ginkgo Biloba
Possible Decreased Action of Drug
According to a study in rats, ginkgo extract may cause the body to metabolize some calcium channel blockers more rapidly, thereby decreasing their effects.
8
May Necessitate Reduction in Drug Dosage
Some evidence suggests that the bioflavonoid naringen may interact with medications in the calcium channel blocker family, increasing blood levels of the drug.
9
This may necessitate a reduction in drug dosage.
Bar-Or D and Gasiel Y. Calcium and calciferol antagonise effect of verapamil in atrial fibrillation.
Br Med J (Clin Res Ed)
282: 1585–1586, 1981.
Hariman RJ, Mangiardi LM, McAllister RG Jr, et al. Reversal of the cardiovascular effects of verapamil by calcium and sodium: differences between electrophysiologic and hemodynamic responses.
Circulation
59: 797–804, 1979.
Guadagnino V, Greengart A, Hollander G, et al. Treatment of severe left ventricular dysfunction with calcium chloride in patients receiving verapamil.
J Clin Pharmacol
27: 407–409, 1987.
Salerno DM, Anderson B, Sharkey PJ, et al. Intravenous verapamil for treatment of multifocal atrial tachycardia with and without calcium pretreatment.
Ann Intern Med
107: 623–628, 1987.
Luscher TF, Noll G, Sturmer T, et al. Calcium gluconate in severe verapamil intoxication.
N Engl J Med
330: 718–720, 1994.
Orr GM, Bodansky HJ, Dymond DS, et al. Fatal verapamil overdose.
Lancet
2: 1218–1219, 1982.
Kuhn M and Schriger DL. Low-dose calcium pretreatment to prevent verapamil-induced hypotension.
Am Heart J
124: 231–232, 1992.
Shinozuka K, Umegaki K, Kubota Y, et al. Feeding of
Ginkgo biloba
extract (GBE) enhances gene expression of hepatic cytochrome P-450 and attenuates the hypotensive effect of nicardipine in rats.
Life Sci.
2002;70:2783-2792.
Yeum CH, Choi JS. Effect of naringin pretreatment on bioavailability of verapamil in rabbits.
Arch Pharm Res.
2006;29:102-7.
Last reviewed October 2007 by EBSCO CAM Review Board
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