Calcium channel blockers

What are calcium channel blockers?

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are a type of targeted therapy used to treat people with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Targeted therapies slow the progression of PH and may even reverse some of the damage to the heart and lungs.

Less than one in ten people with PH benefit from taking CCBs. When you are first diagnosed with PH you may be tested to see if you could benefit from treatment with CCBs.

The CCBs used most frequently in people with PH are:

• nifedipine
• diltiazem
• nicardipine
• amlodipine.

How do calcium channel blockers work?

CCBs can help relax the muscles around blood vessels.Something that blood passes through, such as a vein or artery. This means they reduce blood pressure. This is why they are sometimes used in people with PH.

Side effects of calcium channel blockers

Like all medicines, CCBs can cause some side effects. Your PH specialist team will discuss the possible side effects of CCBs with you.