What are the alternatives to calcium antagonists?

The answer to the question what the alternatives to calcium antagonists are depends mainly on the purpose for which the drug is to be taken. In the treatment of high blood pressure, for example, there are several alternatives that can be chosen. In addition to the so-called ACE inhibitors, thiazides or, if necessary, beta-blockers are also suitable for therapy.

When choosing a suitable drug, the doctor will first and foremost take into account the patient’s circumstances, such as age and secondary diseases. In some cases, a drug prescribed first will not be well tolerated. If it is a calcium channel blocker, it may then be possible to switch to one of the alternative drugs mentioned above.

In addition, when considering which alternatives to drugs such as calcium antagonists are available, it should always be borne in mind that even non-drug measures can sometimes achieve great progress. For example, if blood pressure is only slightly elevated, a healthy diet and sufficient physical exercise can already bring about an improvement in many cases, so that it may not even be necessary to take any medication at all. In any case, you should discuss the possible alternatives to taking calcium antagonists with your doctor.

Calcium antagonists in angina pectoris

Calcium antagonists are an important component in the treatment of angina pectoris. They are usually combined with another drug to treat the symptoms (chest tightness, shortness of breath and pain on exertion or cold). The doctor also prescribes either a beta-blocker or a so-called nitrate.

The prescription must be followed without fail, otherwise the situation can deteriorate if the wrong combination is used.Caution is also always advisable if the medication is no longer effective in an angina pectoris attack or if the symptoms already occur without or at very low levels of stress. These can also be the signs of a heart attack, which can only be ruled out or treated in hospital. In case of such symptoms, a doctor should therefore be consulted or consulted immediately.