What is Diltiazem-felodipine?
The combination of Diltiazem and Felodipine is known as Amlopag or a fixed-dose combination of Diltiazem (a calcium channel blocker) and Felodipine (also a calcium channel blocker). This medication is primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) by relaxing the muscles in blood vessel walls, thereby improving blood flow.
What is Diltiazem-felodipine used for?
Diltiazem and Felodipine are both calcium channel blockers, which belong to the class of medications known as vasculoprotectants. These medications work by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into smooth muscle cells in blood vessels, leading to relaxation of these muscles.
The primary mechanism of action of diltiazem and felodipine is through their ability to block L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs). This results in a decrease in the contractility of the heart and blood vessels. Diltiazem, specifically, has a moderate affinity for both cardiac and vascular LTCCs, whereas felodipine exhibits high affinity towards vascular LTCCs. By reducing the intracellular calcium concentration, these medications help to lower arterial blood pressure.
In patients with angina or hypertension, the therapeutic effects of diltiazem and felodipine include reduced frequency, duration, and severity of anginal episodes, decreased heart rate, and lowered systemic blood pressure. As a result of their vasodilatory properties, they also improve exercise tolerance in patients with exertional angina.
Diltiazem-felodipine side effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Flushing
- Swelling in feet or hands (peripheral edema)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Constipation
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased heart rate
- Muscle weakness
- Chest pain (angina)
- Palpitations
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