Nifedipine

Nifedipine:
• at therapeutic doses, only act on calcium channels in peripheral blood vessels  vasodilation  lowers arterial pressure
• has minimal effects on heart, but lowering blood pressure does activate baroceptor reflex  sympathetic stimulation of heart  increases heart rate
• indicated for hypertension and angina pectoris
• adverse effects – ankle oedema, flushing, dizziness, headache

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