Drug Quiz #1 (2026-2027) - Calcium Channel Blocker

Amlodipine (Brand Name)

Norvasc

Amlodipine (MOA)

Inhibits influx of calcium with potent arterial and coronary vasodilating properties

Amlodipine (FDA Indication; Off Label Use)

Hypertension, Angina; Raynaud phenomenon

Amlodipine (Dosage Form; Dosage; Hepatic/Renal Dosage)

Oral; HTN: 5-10 mg QD; Hepatic: dose adjustment (reduce initial dose to 2.5mg for hypertension or 5mg for angina in hepatic impairment, Renal: dose adjustment not required

Amlodipine (Drug Interaction)

CYP3A4/5 inducers, CYP3A4/5 inhibitors, NSAIDs, Beta blockers

Felodipine (Brand Name)

Plendil

Felodipine (MOA)

Inhibits influx of calcium with potent arterial and coronary vasodilating properties

Felodipine (FDA Indication; Off Label Use)

Hypertension; Chronic stable angina

Felodipine (Dosage Form; Dosage; Hepatic/Renal Dosage)

Oral; HTN: 2.5-5 mg QD, may increase to 10 mg QD; Hepatic: Liver failure, reduce dose to 2.5 mg QD, Renal: N/A

Felodipine (Drug Interaction)

CYP3A4/5 inducers, CYP3A4/5 inhibitors, NSAIDs, Beta blockers, Dantrolene

Nifedipine (Brand Name)

Procardia, Nifedical, Adalat

Nifedipine (MOA)

Inhibits influx of calcium with potent arterial and coronary vasodilating properties

Nifedipine (FDA Indication; Off Label Use)

Hypertension; Raynaud phenomenon, Tocolysis, High-altitude pulmonary edema

Nifedipine (Dosage Form; Dosage; Hepatic/Renal Dosage)

Oral; HTN: ER - 30-60 mg QD, may titrate to 90 mg/day; Hepatic: Clearance is reduced in patients with cirrhosis, use with caution, Renal: N/A

Nifedipine (Drug Interaction)

CYP3A4/5 inducers, CYP3A4/5 inhibitors, NSAIDs, Beta blockers, Tacrolimus

Diltiazem (Brand Name)

Cardizem, Cartia, Dilt-XR, Tiazac

Diltiazem (MOA)

Inhibits calcium ion from entering the “slow channels” or select voltage-sensitive areas of vascular smooth muscle and myocardium during depolarization

Diltiazem (FDA Indication; Off Label Use)

Angina, Vasospastic Angina, Hypertension; Atrial firbillation, pulmonary arterial hypertension, flutter, supraventricular tachycardia

Diltiazem (Dosage Form; Dosage; Hepatic/Renal Dosage)

Oral/IV; HTN: 60-120 mg (ER, 12 h) BID, may titrate to 360 mg/d; 120-240 mg (ER, 24 h) QD, may titrate to 540 mg/d; Hepatic: Use with caution, dosage reduction may be needed, Renal: N/A

Diltiazem (Drug Interaction)

CYP3A4/5 inducers, CYP3A4/5 inhibitors, NSAIDs, Beta blockers, Dantrolene

Verapamil (Brand Name)

Calan, Verelan

Verapamil (MOA)

Inhibits calcium ion from entering the “slow channels” or select voltage-sensitive areas of vascular smooth muscle and myocardium during depolarization

Verapamil (FDA Indication; Off Label Use)

Angina, Atrial arrhythmia, Hypertension; Cluster headaches

Verapamil (Dosage Form; Dosage; Hepatic/Renal Dosage)

Oral; HTN: 40-80 mg TID, may titrate to 360-480 mg/d; Hepatic: Severe liver impairment or cirrhosis, reduce dose by 70-80%, Renal: N/A

Verapamil (Drug Interaction)

Amiodarone, beta-blockers, CYP3A4/5 inhibitors, inducers, and substrates, disopyramide