Aranidipine

Antihypertensive medication

Aranidipine
INN
Drug class
Routes of administration	Oral
Pregnancy category
Bioavailability	20%
Metabolism	Hepatic
Elimination half-life	8 hours
Excretion	Renal
Legal status	Rx-only
CAS Number
PubChem
DrugBank
ChemSpider
KEGG

Aranidipine is a calcium channel blocker used as an antihypertensive agent. It is primarily prescribed for the management of hypertension (high blood pressure). Aranidipine belongs to the dihydropyridine class of calcium channel blockers, which are known for their ability to selectively inhibit the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle cells, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.

Pharmacology

Aranidipine works by blocking the L-type calcium channels in the smooth muscle of the vasculature. This action prevents calcium from entering the cells, which is necessary for muscle contraction. As a result, the blood vessels relax and dilate, leading to a decrease in systemic vascular resistance and a subsequent reduction in blood pressure.

Pharmacokinetics

Aranidipine is administered orally and has a bioavailability of approximately 20%. It is highly protein-bound (95%) and undergoes extensive hepatic metabolism. The elimination half-life of aranidipine is about 8 hours, and it is primarily excreted through the renal route.

Clinical Use

Aranidipine is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or diuretics. The choice of combination therapy depends on the individual patient's response and the presence of comorbid conditions.

Side Effects

Common side effects of aranidipine include headache, dizziness, flushing, and peripheral edema. These effects are generally mild and tend to diminish with continued use. As with other calcium channel blockers, there is a potential for reflex tachycardia due to the vasodilatory effects.

Related pages

• Hypertension
• Calcium channel blocker
• Dihydropyridine
• Antihypertensive drug

Gallery

• 
  Hydrochlorothiazide
• 
  Captopril
• 
  Valsartan
• 
  Propranolol