Premium
Calcium channel blocker drugs and diabetic control
Author(s) -
Collins William C J,
Cullen Michael J,
Feely John
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.1987.172
Subject(s) - nicardipine , nifedipine , calcium channel blocker , medicine , calcium channel , diabetes mellitus , insulin , dihydropyridine , pharmacology , clinical pharmacology , thiazide , diuretic , calcium , endocrinology
Calcium channel blockers are now widely used and there have been case reports of hyperglycemia with nifedipine. In a double‐blind, randomized, crossover study of the effects of 4 weeks of therapy, each with two dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker drugs, nifedipine and nicardipine, glucose tolerance, plasma insulin levels, and hemoglobin A 1 were assessed in 20 patients with non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes (mean age 59 years). There was no significant difference in glucose tolerance on active therapy (AUC: control, 548.3 ± 24.8; nifedipine, 559.3 ± 41.0; and nicardipine, 589.3 ± 40.3). Similarly, despite producing significant hemodynamic effects, these drugs produced no significant effect on plasma insulin and hemoglobin A 1 levels. Calcium channel blocker drugs may be useful alternatives to thiazide diuretics and β‐blockers in the treatment of ischemic heart disease and hypertension, especially in patients with diabetes. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1987) 42, 420–423; doi: 10.1038/clpt.1987.172