Calcium channel blocker

Calcium channel blockers, also known as CCBs, are widely used to treat hypertension.

One class of CCBs is the L-type dihydropyridine (DHP) subclass, also known as dCCBs. Elderly patients often respond well to dCCBs, in both salt-sensitive and salt-resistant forms of hypertension.

Numerous dCCBs, including DHP derivatives, are now available; these include:

• amlodipine
• nifedipine
• nicardipine
• manidipine
• nilvadipine
• benidipine
• nitrendipine
• barnidipine
• cilnidipine
• efonidipine

The response to dCCBs can vary between individuals, with part of the variance due to SNPs. Reports of SNP associations affecting efficacy include:

• rs312481
• rs3774426
• rs527974