Calcium channel blockers classification

MEDICATION MEMORY JOGGER Typically medications ending in ol or al are in the beta blocker classification. Typically medications ending in il are ACE inhibitors verapamil, a calcium-channel blocker, is an exception to the rule. 

This section is mainly concerned with the class I antiarrhythmics, which also possess some local anaesthetic properties, and with class IH antiarrhythmics. Antiarrhythmics that fall into other classes are dealt with under beta blockers , (p.833), digitalis glycosides , (p.903), and calcium-channel blockers , (p.860). Some antiarrhythmics that do not fit into the Vaughan Williams classification (see Table 9.1 , (below)) are also included in this section (e.g. adenosine). Interactions in which the an-tiarrhythmic drug is the affecting substance, rather than the drug whose activity is altered, are dealt with elsewhere. 

Table 23.1 Classification of calcium-channel blockers that act on slow L-type channels...

The Vaughan-Williams classification of antiarrhythmic drugs has been criticized for a number of reasons. The classification is based on the effects of drugs on normal, rather than diseased, myocardium. In addition, many of the drugs may be placed into more than one class. For example, the class IA drugs prolong repolarization/refractoriness, either via the parent drug8,9 or an active metabolite,10 and therefore also maybe placed in class III. Sotalol is also a 3-blocker, and therefore fits into class II. Amiodarone inhibits sodium and potassium channels, is a non-competitive inhibitor of 3-receptors, and inhibits calcium... 

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