Dictionary of Allergies .. Calcium antagonists

Calcium antagonists

In patients with coronary artery disease in whom beta blockers are contraindicated in asthma, calcium antagonists such nifedipine and verapamil can frequently be used instead. Maintenance therapy with calcium channel blockers, at doses that produce cardiovascular effects, do not suppress the signs and symptoms of persistent asthma. Previous bronchoprovocation studies did not predict these results.

References

Ann Twiss M, Harman E, Chesrown S, Hendeles L. Efficacy of calcium channel blockers as maintenance therapy for asthma. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Mar;53(3):243-9 .Comment in:Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2002 Dec;54(6):679-80.