Abstract

DRUGS & CALCIUM CHANNELS: THE PAST, THE PRESENT & THE FUTURE

Dr. A. Avinash, Dr. Meena Kumari K*, Dr. Mohan Babu Amberkar V, Dr. Sushil Kiran Kunder, Dr. Anurag Pathak

Abstract

Calcium channels form a significant portion of ionic channels in the human body. They are responsible for various physiological functions, the most important ones being muscle contraction, cardiac contractility, cardiac conduction and maintenance of blood vessel tonicity. Hence, these channels have always been under the microscope so as to develop drugs that will modulate their function. Agents that block these channels are being used very commonly in practice. This review focuses on the basic aspects of calcium channels and the various clinical applications of drugs affecting them.

Keywords: Verapamil, Diltiazem, Dihydropyridines, Nifedipine, Amlodipine, Angina, Hypertension.