Question:
Which of the following is true about calcium channel blockers?
Which of the following is true about calcium channel blockers?
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Pure arteriolar dilators trigger the baroreflex; rate-controlling CCBs do not.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Verapamil causes reflex tachycardia
- Diltiazem causes reflex tachycardia
- Nifedipine causes reflex tachycardia
- Nifedipine has a longer t1/2 than felodipine
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Calcium channel blockers fall into two broad groups. Dihydropyridines (DHPs) such as nifedipine, amlodipine and felodipine are mainly vascular-selective arteriolar dilators. Non-dihydropyridines such as verapamil and diltiazem also depress the heart (negative chronotropic and inotropic effects).
Step 2: Nifedipine is a short-acting DHP. It produces marked arteriolar vasodilatation, which drops blood pressure abruptly. The fall in pressure triggers the baroreceptor reflex, leading to sympathetic activation and reflex tachycardia. This makes option (c) correct.
Step 3: Verapamil and diltiazem directly slow the SA and AV nodes, so they tend to cause bradycardia rather than reflex tachycardia. Options (a) and (b) are therefore wrong.
Step 4: Felodipine differs from nifedipine by having greater vascular selectivity, a larger tissue distribution and a longer t1/2. So nifedipine does NOT have a longer half-life than felodipine, ruling out option (d).
Step 2: Nifedipine is a short-acting DHP. It produces marked arteriolar vasodilatation, which drops blood pressure abruptly. The fall in pressure triggers the baroreceptor reflex, leading to sympathetic activation and reflex tachycardia. This makes option (c) correct.
Step 3: Verapamil and diltiazem directly slow the SA and AV nodes, so they tend to cause bradycardia rather than reflex tachycardia. Options (a) and (b) are therefore wrong.
Step 4: Felodipine differs from nifedipine by having greater vascular selectivity, a larger tissue distribution and a longer t1/2. So nifedipine does NOT have a longer half-life than felodipine, ruling out option (d).
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