Diltiazem effects

Verapamil and diltiazem > effects on heart than dihydropyridines (e.g., nifedipine)—possible AV block at high doses. 

GaddeK, Calabrese JR. Diltiazem effect on carbamazepine levels in manic depression JCZot P sychopharmacol 990) 10,378-9. 

Diltiazem effectively doubles aprepitanfs half-life while simultaneously decreasing its own efficacy. 

Patients having high plasma renin activity (PRA) (>8 ng/(mLh)) respond best to an ACE inhibitor or a -adrenoceptor blocker those having low PRA (<1 ng/(mLh)) usually elderly and black, respond best to a calcium channel blocker or a diuretic (184). -Adrenoceptor blockers should not be used in patients who have diabetes, asthma, bradycardia, or peripheral vascular diseases. The thiazide-type diuretics (qv) should be used with caution in patients having diabetes. Likewise, -adrenoceptor blockers should not be combined with verapamil or diltiazem because these dmgs slow the atrioventricular nodal conduction in the heart. Calcium channel blockers are preferred in patients having coronary insufficiency diseases because of the cardioprotective effects of these dmgs. 

Diltiazem inhibits calcium influx via voltage-operated channels and therefore decreases intracellular calcium ion. This decreases smooth muscle tone. Diltiazem dilates both large and small arteries and also inhibits a-adrenoceptor activated calcium influx. It differs from verapamil and nifedipine by its use dependence. In order for the blockade to occur, the channels must be in the activated state. Diltiazem has no significant affinity for calmodulin. The side effects are headache, edema, and dizziness. 

Diltiazem is the only benzothiazepine in clinical use. Its molecular mechanism of action as well as its pharmacological effects closely resemble those of phenylalkylamines. 

Systemic and coronary arteries are influenced by movement of calcium across cell membranes of vascular smooth muscle. The contractions of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle depend on movement of extracellular calcium ions into these walls through specific ion channels. Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia), and verapamil (Calan), inhibit die movement of calcium ions across cell membranes. This results in less calcium available for the transmission of nerve impulses (Fig. 41-1). This drug action of the calcium channel blockers (also known as slow channel blockers) has several effects on die heart, including an effect on die smooth muscle of arteries and arterioles. These drug dilate coronary arteries and arterioles, which in turn deliver more oxygen to cardiac muscle. Dilation of peripheral arteries reduces die workload of die heart. The end effect of these drug is the same as that of die nitrates. 

Treatment with nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (diltiazem and verapamil) may worsen HF and increase the risk of death in patients with advanced LV dysfunction due to their negative inotropic effects. Conversely, dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, although negative inotropes in vitro, do not appear to decrease contractility in vivo. Amlodipine and felodipine are the two most extensively studied dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers for systolic H F.39 4() These two agents have not been shown to affect patient survival, either positively or negatively. As such, they are not routinely recommended as part of a standard HF regimen however, amlodipine and felodipine can safely be used... 

In randomized, controlled, clinical trials, calcium channel blockers were as effective as p-blockers at preventing ischemic symptoms. Calcium channel blockers are recommended as initial treatment in IHD when /3-blockers are contraindicated or not tolerated. In addition, CCBs may be used in combination with /3-blockers when initial treatment is unsuccessful. However, the combination of a (1-blocker with either verapamil or diltiazem should be used with extreme caution since all of these drugs decrease AV nodal conduction, increasing the risk for severe bradycardia or AV block when used together. If combination therapy is warranted, a long-acting dihydropyridine CCB is preferred. (3-Blockers will prevent reflex increases in sympathetic tone and heart rate with the use of calcium channel blockers with potent vasodilatory effects. 

Closely monitor heart rate in patients treated with drugs that have negative chronotropic effects (e.g., fi-blockers, verapamil, or diltiazem) or drugs that may cause reflex tachycardia (e.g, nitrates or dihydropyridine CCBs). 

Adverse effects and contraindications of calcium channel blockers are described in Table 5-2. Verapamil, diltiazem, and first-generation dihydropyridines should also be avoided in patients with acute decompensated heart failure or left... 

Ventricular Rate Control is achieved by inhibiting the proportion of electrical impulses conducted from the atria to the ventricles through the AV node. Therefore, drugs that are effective for ventricular rate control are those that inhibit AV nodal impulse conduction P-blockers, diltiazem, verapamil, and digoxin (Tables 6-5 and 6-6). Amiodarone also inhibits AV nodal conduction, but is not a preferred drug for ventricular rate control in AF due to its unfavorable adverse-effect profile (Table 6-6). 

Buspirone generally is well tolerated and does not cause sedation. Most common side effects include dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Drugs that inhibit CYP3A4 (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem, itraconazole, fluvoxamine, nefa-zodone, and erythromycin) can increase buspirone levels. Likewise, enzyme inducers such as rifampin can reduce buspirone levels significantly. Bupirone may increase blood pressure when coadministered with an monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). 

Figure 7.50 shows A log P, (difference permeability) versus log Pe (dodecane-treated filters) for a series of common drugs and research compounds at pH 7.4. Some of the differences are positive, and some are negative. For example, phena-zopyridine is attenuated by the presence of DOPC in the dodecane, but diltiazem is accelerated by the DOPC [556]. The effects are most pronounced where the permeability in pure dodecane is less than about 3 x 10 6cm/s. That is, molecules that are very permeable in dodecane are unaffected by the presence of DOPC, as... 

Ca++-channel blockers. Verapamil has powerful effects on the heart, decreasing heart rate and myocardial contractility ( l CO) and causing some vasodilation. On the other hand, nifedipine is a more potent vasodilator (1 TPR) with weaker myocardial effects. The effects of diltiazem are somewhat intermediate, in that this drug has moderate inhibitory effects on the myocardium and vascular smooth muscle. 

Which of the following best describes diltiazem s effect on digoxin ... 

If patients are hemodynamicaUy stable, the focus should be directed toward control of ventricular rate. Drugs that slow conduction and increase refractoriness in the AV node should be used as initial therapy. In patients with normal LV function (left ventricular ejection fraction >40%), IV j3-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol, esmolol), diltiazem, or verapamil is recommended. If a high adrenergic state is the precipitating factor, IV /J-blockers can be highly effective and should be considered first. In patients with left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, IV diltiazem and verapamil... 

Verapamil decreases heart rate, slows atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction, and produces a negative inotropic effect that may precipitate heart failure in patients with borderline cardiac reserve. Diltiazem decreases AV conduction and heart rate to a lesser extent than verapamil. 

Because calcium channel antagonists may be more effective, have few serious adverse effects, and can be given less frequently than nitrates, some authorities consider them the agents of choice for variant angina. Nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem are all equally effective as single agents for... 

Diltiazem Functional relationship between PK and PD parameters is described by hysteresis loops with a clockwise rotation. This cannot be explained in the classical way by the time lag between central and effect compartments. The model of down regulation/toler-ance development is proposed as a result supported by the finding that the shape of the hysteresis is dependent on the absorption rate of diltiazem, calculated as mean input time. Acute tolerance to dilitazem develops at least with the electrophysiologi-cal action of diltiazem after oral application and that the extent of tolerance development increases when decreasing its absorption rate. Bioequivalence assessment of diltiazem is possible using PD parameters however, because PK/PD relationships are influenced by the absorption rate, extent parameters may be misinterpreted when rate parameters of the test formulations are different... 

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