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HYPERTENSION TREATMENTS: ORAL CCBs
Generic Brand Strength Form Initial Adult Dose
BENZOTHIAZEPINES
diltiazem Cardizem LA 120mg, 180mg, 240mg, 300mg, 360mg, 420mg ext‑rel tabs 180−240mg once daily; adjust at 2wk intervals; max 540mg/day
Cardizem 
CD
120mg, 180mg, 240mg, 300mg, 360mg ext‑rel caps 180−240mg once daily; adjust at 2wk intervals; max 480mg/day
Tiazac 120mg, 180mg, 240mg, 300mg, 360mg, 420mg ext‑rel caps 120−240mg once daily; adjust at 2wk intervals; max 540mg/day
DIHYDROPYRIDINES
amlodi
pine
Norvasc 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg tabs 5mg daily; adjust at 7−14 day intervals; max 10mg daily
felodipine 2.5mg, 5mg, 10mg ext‑rel tabs 5mg once daily; adjust at 2wk intervals; max 10mg daily
isradipine 5mg, 10mg ext‑rel tabs 5mg daily, alone or with a thiazide diuretic; titrate by 5mg/day at 2–4wk intervals; max 20mg/day
nicardi
pine
20mg, 30mg caps ≥18yrs: 20mg 3 times daily; adjust at intervals of at least 3 days; max 120mg daily
nifedipine Adalat CC 30mg, 60mg, 90mg ext‑rel tabs 30mg once daily; titrate over 7−14 days; max 90mg/day
Afeditab CR 30mg, 60mg ext‑rel tabs 30mg once daily, titrate over 7−14 days; max 90mg/day
Procardia 
XL
30mg, 60mg, 90mg ext‑rel tabs 30 or 60mg once daily, titrate over 7−14 days; max 120mg/day
nisoldi
pine
Sular 8.5mg, 17mg, 34mg ext‑rel tabs 17mg once daily; may increase by 8.5mg weekly; max 34mg/day
DIPHENYLALKYLAMINES
verapamil Calan 40mg, 80mg+, 120mg+ tabs ≥18yrs: 80mg 3 times daily; usual max 360mg/day in divided doses. Elderly or small patients: 40mg 3 times daily
Calan SR 120mg, 180mg+, 240mg+ sust-rel caplets ≥18yrs: 180mg in the AM; may titrate to max 480mg/day in divided doses. Elderly or small patients: 120mg in the AM
Verelan 120mg, 180mg, 240mg, 360mg sust-rel caps ≥18yrs: Usually 240mg daily in the AM; adjust in 120mg increments; max 480mg/day
Verelan PM 100mg, 200mg, 300mg controlled onset ext‑rel tabs 200mg once daily at bedtime; may titrate upwards in steps to 300mg, then 400mg if needed
NOTES

Key:  + = scored

Not an inclusive list of medications, official indications and/or doses. Please see drug monograph at www.eMPR.com and/or contact company for full drug labeling. Individualize dose. Initially may start at lower doses in certain patient populations. May be confused with other products with similar names. Ensure that the patient receives the appropriate product.

With few exceptions, ext-rel and sust-rel products should not be crushed, chewed, or divided to preserve the products’ release characteristics.

(Rev. 1/2018)

This article originally appeared on MPR