Nisoldipine is a calcium channel blocker used as monotherapy or combined with other drugs for the treatment of hypertension. It can be found under the brand name Sular. Nisoldipine is a 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker. It acts primarily on vascular smooth muscle cells by stabilizing voltage-gated L-type calcium channels in their inactive conformation. By inhibiting the influx of calcium in smooth muscle cells, nisoldipine prevents calcium-dependent smooth muscle contraction and subsequent vasoconstriction. Nisoldipine may be used in alone or in combination with other agents in the management of hypertension. By deforming the channel, inhibiting ion-control gating mechanisms, and/or interfering with the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, Nisoldipine inhibits the influx of extracellular calcium across the myocardial and vascular smooth muscle cell membranes. It targets the alpha-1C, alpha-2/delta-1, beta-2, alpha-1D, and alpha-1S subunits of the channel. The decrease in intracellular calcium inhibits the contractile processes of the myocardial smooth muscle cells, causing dilation of the coronary and systemic arteries, increased oxygen delivery to the myocardial tissue, decreased total peripheral resistance, decreased systemic blood pressure, and decreased afterload. Nisoldipine is administered as an oral tablet. Some side effects of using nisoldipine may include headache, upset stomach, dizziness, and flushing.

Nisoldipine Pathway (New) References