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Doyle M. Cummings, PharmD; Peter Amadio, Jr, MD; Linda Nelson, PharmD; Jill Mancini Fitzgerald, PharmD

Arch Intern Med. 1991;151(2):250-259.

Abstract
Calcium channel blockers, originally developed for the treatment of angina and supraventricular arrhythmias, have been shown to lower elevated blood pressure effectively in hypertensive patients. Verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem represent prototype compounds for unique chemical classes with differing pharmacologic properties. These drugs lower elevated blood pressure with efficacy comparable with other commonly used antihypertensives. Combination therapy with other agents usually results in an additive response. Side effects are usually mild and reversible and usually are an extension of the drug's pharmacologic effects. Moreover, adverse metabolic effects on lipid, glucose, or potassium levels are not common. Because of the excellent antihypertensive effects of calcium channel blockers and their potential importance in a variety of other disease states, these agents should be routinely considered for use as a first-line antihypertensive agent in appropriately selected patients with hypertension of any severity as part of a comprehensive plan to minimize cardiovascular risk.

(Arch Intern Med. 1991;151:250-259)

Author Affiliations
From the Department of Family Medicine, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC, and the School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC (Dr Cummings); the Departments of Family Medicine and Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University (Dr Amadio), and the Department of Pharmacy, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (Dr Nelson), Philadelphia, Pa; and the Department of Surgery, John Dempsey Hospital, Farmington, Conn, and the Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs (Dr Fitzgerald).

Footnotes
Accepted for publication September 10, 1990.

Reprint requests to Department of Family Medicine, East Carolina University School of Medicine, Greenville, NC 27858-4354 (Dr Cummings).

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