Which medication is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension?

Prepare thoroughly for the MDC Pharmacokinetics Exam with our detailed guidance. Utilize flashcards and multiple-choice questions, complete with hints and explanations, to excel in your test!

Multiple Choice

Which medication is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension?

Explanation:
Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering vascular smooth muscle cells, which causes the vessels to relax and dial down systemic resistance. Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that mainly dilates arterial smooth muscle, producing a clear drop in blood pressure and making it a common choice for hypertension (and angina). The other drugs aren’t calcium channel blockers: enalapril and ramipril are ACE inhibitors that reduce angiotensin II formation, while clonidine lowers blood pressure by decreasing sympathetic outflow. So nifedipine is the best match for a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension.

Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering vascular smooth muscle cells, which causes the vessels to relax and dial down systemic resistance. Nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that mainly dilates arterial smooth muscle, producing a clear drop in blood pressure and making it a common choice for hypertension (and angina). The other drugs aren’t calcium channel blockers: enalapril and ramipril are ACE inhibitors that reduce angiotensin II formation, while clonidine lowers blood pressure by decreasing sympathetic outflow. So nifedipine is the best match for a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension.

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