Calcium-Antagonist Drugs

Abstract

THE use of a group of drugs collectively referred to as "calcium antagonists," "slow channel antagonists," or "calcium-channel blockers" is likely to increase in the coming years. Currently, calcium antagonists are used primarily in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, and only three of these drugs —nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem — are available in the United States. However, numerous others that are already available to European clinicians are likely to be used in this country in the near future.One of the most striking aspects of the calcium-antagonist drugs is their chemical heterogeneity (Fig. 1). Many of these drugs were developed . . .