What is calcium channel blocker poisoning?
Calcium channel blocker toxicity is the taking of too much of the medications known as calcium channel blockers (CCBs), either by accident or on purpose. This often causes a slow heart rate and low blood pressure. This can progress to the heart stopping altogether.
What is a major effect of calcium channel blockers?
Calcium channel blockers are medications used to lower blood pressure. They work by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and arteries. Calcium causes the heart and arteries to squeeze (contract) more strongly. By blocking calcium, calcium channel blockers allow blood vessels to relax and open.
What is the antidote for diltiazem?
Currently, there is no specific antidote and the treatment of CCB poisoning is supportive; however, this supportive therapy is often insufficient. We present a clinical case of severe diltiazem poisoning and the therapeutic approaches that were used.
How are calcium channel blockers metabolized?
Excretion: Calcium channel antagonists are primarily excreted renally after metabolism. There is the potential for drug-drug interactions because calcium channel antagonists are metabolized by CYP3A4, which is responsible for the metabolism of many other xenobiotics.
What are the different types of calcium channel blockers?
There are two different types of calcium channel blockers, which are called dihydropyridines and nondihydropyridines….Types
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
- felodipine (Plendil)
- isradipine (DynaCirc)
- nicardipine (Cardene)
- nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
- nimodipine (Nimotop, Nymalize)
- nisoldipine (Sular)
What is the antidote for amlodipine?
Methylene blue has been proposed as an antidote for refractory shock from amlodipine poisoning because of its vasoconstrictive effects as a nitric oxide scavenger.
What is glucagon The antidote for?
Glucagon is traditionally considered a first line antidote for beta-blocker overdose. Glucagon has also been used in the setting of calcium channel blocker toxicity.
How is calcium overdose treated?
Treatment may include:
- Intravenous fluids (through a vein)
- Medicine to treat symptoms.
- Activated charcoal.
- Laxatives.
- Tube through the mouth into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)
- Breathing support, including tube through the mouth into the lungs and connected to a ventilator (breathing machine)
What are the contraindications of calcium channel blockers?
Calcium channel antagonists are also contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or its components. Other contraindications include sick sinus syndrome (except in patients with an artificial pacemaker), severe hypotension, acute myocardial infarction, and pulmonary congestion.