Proteinuria calcium channel blockers

In the treatment of hypertension, ACE inhibitors are as effective as diuretics, (3-adrenoceptor antagonists, or calcium channel blockers in lowering blood pressure. However, increased survival rates have only been demonstrated for diuretics and (3-adrenoceptor antagonists. ACE inhibitors are approved for monotherapy as well as for combinational regimes. ACE inhibitors are the dtugs of choice for the treatment of hypertension with renal diseases, particularly diabetic nephropathy, because they prevent the progression of renal failure and improve proteinuria more efficiently than the other diugs. 

The nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers have been shown to also decrease protein excretion in patients with diabetes,20 but the reduction in proteinuria appears to be related to the reductions in blood pressure. The maximal effect of nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers on proteinuria is seen with a blood pressure reduction to less than 130/80 mm Hg and no additional benefit is seen with increased doses. Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, however, do not have the same effects on protein excretion, and may actually worsen protein excretion.17... 

The calcium channel blockers also effective treatments for hypertension in patients with CKD but without diabetes. However, as was mentioned previously, only the nondihydropyridine CCBs have data suggesting a reduction in the rate of decline of renal function. There are currently no data to suggest that higher doses of nondihydropyridine CCBs are needed to elicit a reduction in proteinuria as compared to a reduction in blood pressure. 

---