Amlodipine

Amlodipine is a long-acting dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker used chiefly to treat hypertension and angina by relaxing vascular smooth muscle.

L-type calcium channel: A voltage-gated calcium channel that carries calcium into cardiac and smooth-muscle cells. Amlodipine inhibits these channels, reducing calcium-driven contraction in arterial smooth muscle.
Hypertension: Persistently elevated arterial blood pressure that increases cardiovascular risk. Amlodipine lowers blood pressure and is commonly prescribed for this condition.
Verapamil: A non-dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker with substantial effects on heart rate and conduction. Unlike amlodipine, verapamil slows cardiac conduction and is more likely to cause bradycardia.
Peripheral edema: Swelling caused by excess fluid in tissues, commonly affecting the lower legs and ankles. Amlodipine can cause ankle edema as dilated arterioles raise pressure in capillaries.
Dihydropyridine: A chemical class of calcium-channel blockers that preferentially relax vascular smooth muscle. Amlodipine belongs to this class, which accounts for much of its arterial selectivity.
Angina pectoris: Chest discomfort caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle. Amlodipine can reduce angina episodes by lowering cardiac workload and improving coronary blood flow.
Diltiazem: A non-dihydropyridine calcium-channel blocker that reduces heart rate and cardiac contractility. Diltiazem has stronger direct cardiac effects than amlodipine’s predominantly vascular action.
Gingival enlargement: Abnormal overgrowth of gum tissue associated with certain medications and oral conditions. This uncommon adverse effect has been reported with amlodipine and other calcium-channel blockers.
Vasodilation: Widening of blood vessels caused by relaxation of their smooth-muscle walls. Amlodipine lowers peripheral resistance by dilating arteries.
Coronary artery disease: Narrowing or blockage of coronary arteries, usually caused by atherosclerotic plaque. Amlodipine treats angina associated with this disease but does not remove coronary plaque.

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