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Calcium Channel Blockers for Pain

Calcium channel blockers, also called calcium agonists, are a class of medications designed to widen and relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. The effects of these drugs may help relieve certain types of pain.

  1. The Facts

    • Calcium channel blockers achieve their effects by preventing calcium in the bloodstream from entering cells inside the blood vessel walls and heart, reports the Mayo Clinic. The resulting blood vessel relaxation allows for improved blood flow.

    Angina

    • The American Heart Association (AHA) notes that certain calcium channel blockers help relieve the effects of angina, a form of chest pain related to reduced blood supply to the heart. Examples of these products include nifedipine, diltiazem and verapamil.

    Migraines

    • Calcium channel blockers may also help prevent the onset of migraine headaches, as well as relieve symptoms associated with migraine aura. The Mayo Clinic cites verapamil (Isoptin, Calan) as a particularly effective migraine remedy.

    Considerations

    • Calcium channel blockers come in both short- and long-acting varieties. The AHA cites a National Heart Lung and Blood Institute recommendation that doctors use caution when prescribing short-acting nifedipine for angina patients.

    Additional Considerations

    • The Mayo Clinic notes that using calcium channel blockers while consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice can lead to an unwanted buildup of these drugs in the body.

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