Calcium-Channel Blockers

Also indexed as: Bepadin, Bepridil, Cardene, Cardene SR, DynaCirc, Isradipine, Lacidipine, Lercanidipine, Motens, Nicardipine, Nimodipine, Nimotop, Nisoldipine, Prescal, Sular, Syscor MR, Vascor, Zanidip

Calcium-channel blockers are a family of drugs used to treat angina, high blood pressure, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, and Raynaud’s disease, as well as to prevent migraine headaches.

For interactions involving specific calcium-channel blocking drugs, refer to the highlighted medications listed below.

Amlodipine (Norvasc®)
Bepridil (Bepadin®, Vascor®)
Diltiazem (Cardizem®, Dilacor XR®, Tiazac®)
Felodipine (Plendil®)
Isradipine (DynaCirc®)
Nicardipine (Cardene®)
Nifedipine (Adalat®, Procardia®)
Nimodipine (Nimotop®)
Nisoldipine (Sular®)
Verapamil (Calan®, Covera H-S®, Isoptin®, Verelan®)

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.

Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.	Pleurisy root
Depletion or interference	None known
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Supportive interaction	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known
Interactions common to many, if not all, Calcium Channel Blockers are described in this article. Interactions reported for only one or a few drugs in this class may not be listed in this article. Some drugs listed in this article are linked to articles specific to that respective drug; please refer to those individual drug articles. The information in this article may not necessarily apply to drugs in this class for which no separate article exists. If you are taking a Calcium Channel Blocker for which no separate article exists, talk with your doctor or chemist.

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Herbs

Pleurisy root
As pleurisy root and other plants in the Aesclepius genus contain cardiac glycosides, it is best to avoid use of pleurisy root with heart medications such as calcium channel blockers.¹

References

1. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 1996, 213–4.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or chemist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires September 2008.

2007-09-01

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Interactions with Herbs

References