Calcium Channel Blockers: Summary of affordable alternatives
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) are used by millions of Americans to treat high blood pressure, angina, and certain heart rhythm abnormalities.
The cost for CCBs varies from about $22 to more than $120 per month. This report presents information that will help you: (a) determine when you might need a CCB; (b) choose the right CCB and dose; and (c) save $1,000 to $1,700 a year if you are currently taking or have been prescribed an expensive brand-name CCB.
CCBs are effective medicines that lower blood pressure and help prevent and treat the symptoms of angina. Two CCBs are effective in controlling certain heart rhythm problems.
CCBs are typically not prescribed as initial or first-step treatment in people with high blood pressure who have no other form of heart disease. Instead, CCBs are often used as a second or third drug to help lower blood pressure when other medicines have failed to bring it down enough.
CCBs should be considered as initial medicine (usually in combination with other drugs) for people who have high blood pressure plus angina and/or a high risk of stroke. CCBs should not be taken by people with heart failure (often called congestive heart failure).
This report compares the effectiveness, safety, and cost of eight CCBs. We have chosen the following four as Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs based on the weight of scientific evidence, dosing convenience, and cost in treating the following conditions:
CCBs should be considered as initial medicine (usually in combination with other drugs) for people who have high blood pressure plus angina and/or a high risk of stroke. CCBs should not be taken by people with heart failure (often called congestive heart failure).
This report compares the effectiveness, safety, and cost of eight CCBs. We have chosen the following four as Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs based on the weight of scientific evidence, dosing convenience, and cost in treating the following conditions:
- For high blood pressure – Diltiazem SR and Diltiazem CR, Felodipine SR, Nifedipine SR, Verapamil SR
- For angina – Nifedipine SR
- For heart rhythm abnormalities – Diltiazem SR and Diltiazem CR, Verapamil SR
All these medicines are available as low-cost or moderately priced generic drugs. All are as effective as other CCBs. (SR stands for "sustained release" and CR stands for "continuous release.")
CCBs: Cost Comparison and Best Buy Drugs
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| Recommendations: CCBs | |||||||
| CR Best Buy | Generic Name and Dose1 | Brand Name(s)2 | Generic (Yes) or Branded Generic (BG)3 | Frequency of Use (Per Day)4 | Average Monthly Cost5 | Best Buy Indication | Compare Prices |
| Amlodipine 2.5mg tablet | Norvasc | No | One | $61 |  |
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| Amlodipine 5mg tablet | Norvasc | No | One | $58 | |
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| Amlodipine 10mg tablet | Norvasc | No | One | $78 | |
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| Diltiazem 30mg tablet | Cardizem | No | Four | $84 | |
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| Diltiazem 30mg tablet | Generic | Yes | Four | $36 | |
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| Diltiazem 60mg SR capsule | Cardizem SR | No | Two | $80 | |
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| Diltiazem 60mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | Two | $49 | |
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| Diltiazem 60mg tablet | Cardizem | No | Four | $124 | |
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| Diltiazem 60mg tablet | Generic | Yes | Four | $43 | |
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| Diltiazem 90mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | Two | $58 | |
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| Diltiazem 90mg tablet | Cardizem | No | Four | $159 | |
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| Diltiazem 90mg tablet | Generic | Yes | Four | $53 | |
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| Diltiazem 120mg CR capsule | Cardizem CD | No | One | $55 | |
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Diltiazem 120mg CR capsule | Cartia XT | BG | One | $37 | HBP6, HRAs7 | |
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Diltiazem 120mg CR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $32 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Diltiazem 120mg SR capsule | Cardizem SR | No | Two | $126 | |
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| Diltiazem 120mg SR capsule | Dilacor XR | BG | One | $62 | |
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Diltiazem 120mg SR capsule | Diltia XT | BG | One | $27 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 120mg SR capsule | Dilt-XR | BG | One | $26 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 120mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $30 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 120mg SR capsule | Taztia XT | BG | One | $36 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Diltiazem 120mg SR capsule | Tiazac | BG | One | $45 | |
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| Diltiazem 120mg SR tablet | Cardizem LA | BG | One | $80 | |
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| Diltiazem 120mg tablet | Cardizem | No | Four | $262 | |
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| Diltiazem 120mg tablet | Generic | Yes | Four | $78 | |
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| Diltiazem 180mg CR capsule | Cardizem CD | No | One | $67 | |
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| Diltiazem 180mg CR capsule | Cartia XT | BG | One | $43 | |
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Diltiazem 180mg CR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $37 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Diltiazem 180mg SR capsule | Dilacor XR | No | One | $74 | |
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Diltiazem 180mg SR capsule | Diltia XT | BG | One | $29 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 180mg SR capsule | Dilt-XR | BG | One | $29 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 180mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $31 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Diltiazem 180mg SR capsule | Taztia XT | BG | One | $43 | |
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| Diltiazem 180mg SR capsule | Tiazac | BG | One | $52 | |
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| Diltiazem 180mg SR capsule | Cardizem LA | No | One | $79 | |
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| Diltiazem 240mg CR capsule | Cardizem CD | No | One | $86 | |
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| Diltiazem 240mg CR capsule | Cartia XT | No | One | $58 | |
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| Diltiazem 240mg CR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $50 | |
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| Diltiazem 240mg SR capsule | Dilacor XR | No | One | $83 | |
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Diltiazem 240mg SR capsule | Diltia XT | BG | One | $32 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 240mg SR capsule | Dilt-XR | BG | One | $30 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 240mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $35 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Diltiazem 240mg SR capsule | Taztia XT | BG | One | $60 | |
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| Diltiazem 240mg SR capsule | Tiazac | BG | One | $74 | |
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| Diltiazem 240mg SR tablet | Cardizem LA | No | One | $89 | |
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| Diltiazem 300mg CR capsule | Cardizem CD | No | One | $114 | |
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| Diltiazem 300mg CR capsule | Cartia XT | BG | One | $76 | |
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Diltiazem 300mg CR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $66 | HBP, HRAs | |
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Diltiazem 300mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $66 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Diltiazem 300mg SR capsule | Taztia XT | BG | One | $73 | |
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| Diltiazem 300mg SR capsule | Tiazac | BG | One | $96 | |
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| Diltiazem 300mg SR capsule | Cardizem LA | No | One | $131 | |
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| Diltiazem 360mg CR capsule | Cardizem CD | No | One | $135 | |
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Diltiazem 360mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $68 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Diltiazem 360mg SR capsule | Taztia XT | BG | One | $75 | |
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| Diltiazem 360mg SR capsule | Tiazac | BG | One | $96 | |
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| Diltiazem 360mg SR tablet | Cardizem LA | No | One | $123 | |
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Felodipine 2.5mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $40 | HBP | |
| Felodipine 2.5mg SR tablet | Plendil | No | One | $51 | |
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Felodipine 5mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $39 | HBP | |
| Felodipine 5mg SR tablet | Plendil | No | One | $51 | |
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Felodipine 10mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $66 | HBP | |
| Felodipine 10mg SR tablet | Plendil | No | One | $87 | |
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| Isradipine 2.5mg capsule | Dynacirc | No | Two | $98 | |
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| Isradipine 2.5mg capsule | Generic | Yes | Two | $89 | |
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| Isradipine 5mg capsule | Dynacirc | No | Two | $151 | |
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| Isradipine 5mg capsule | Generic | Yes | Two | $126 | |
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| Isradipine 5mg SR tablet | Dynacirc | No | One | $75 | |
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| Isradipine 10mg SR tablet | Dynacirc CR | No | One | $120 | |
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| Nicardipine 20mg capsule | Cardene | No | Three | $93 | |
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| Nicardipine 20mg capsule | Generic | Yes | Three | $37 | |
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| Nicardipine 30mg capsule | Cardene | No | Three | $146 | |
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| Nicardipine 30mg capsule | Generic | Yes | Three | $49 | |
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| Nicardipine 30mg SR capsule | Cardene SR | No | Two | $86 | |
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| Nicardipine 45mg SR capsule | Cardene SR | No | Two | $128 | |
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| Nicardipine 60mg SR capsule | Cardene SR | No | Two | $159 | |
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| Nifedipine 10mg capsule | Generic | Yes | Three | $44 | |
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| Nifedipine 10mg capsule | Procardia | No | Three | $91 | |
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| Nifedipine 20mg capsule | Generic | Yes | Three | $92 | |
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| Nifedipine 30mg SR tablet | Adalat CC | BG | One | $53 | |
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Nifedipine 30mg SR tablet | Afeditab CR | BG | One | $34 | HBP, Angina8 | |
| Nifedipine 30mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $37 | |
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Nifedipine 30mg SR tablet | Nifediac CC | BG | One | $35 | HBP, Angina | |
| Nifedipine 30mg SR tablet | Nifedical XL | BG | One | $42 | |
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| Nifedipine 30mg SR tablet | Procardia XL | No | One | $60 | |
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| Nifedipine 60mg SR tablet | Adalat CC | BG | One | $88 | |
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Nifedipine 60mg SR tablet | Afeditab CR | BG | One | $59 | HBP, Angina | |
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Nifedipine 60mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $54 | HBP, Angina | |
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Nifedipine 60mg SR tablet | Nifediac CC | BG | One | $64 | HBP, Angina | |
| Nifedipine 60mg SR tablet | Nifedical XL | BG | One | $71 | |
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| Nifedipine 60mg SR tablet | Procardia XL | No | One | $102 | |
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| Nifedipine 90mg SR tablet | Adalat CC | BG | One | $102 | |
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Nifedipine 90mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $80 | HBP, Angina | |
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Nifedipine 90mg SR tablet | Nifediac CC | BG | One | $78 | HBP, Angina | |
| Nifedipine 90mg SR tablet | Procardia XL | No | One | $124 | |
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| Nisoldipine 10mg SR tablet | Sular | No | One | $64 | |
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| Nisoldipine 20mg SR tablet | Sular | No | One | $78 | |
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| Nisoldipine 30mg SR tablet | Sular | No | One | $92 | |
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| Nisoldipine 40mg SR tablet | Sular | No | One | $85 | |
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| Verapamil 40mg tablet | Calan | No | Three | $70 | |
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| Verapamil 40mg tablet | Generic | Yes | Three | $29 | |
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| Verapamil 80mg tablet | Calan | No | Three | $93 | |
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| Verapamil 80mg tablet | Generic | Yes | Three | $24 | |
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| Verapamil 100mg SR capsule | Verelan PM | No | One | $61 | |
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Verapamil 120mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $35 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Verapamil 120mg SR capsule | Verelan | No | One | $77 | |
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| Verapamil 120mg SR tablet | Calan SR | No | One | $61 | |
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Verapamil 120mg SR Tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $26 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Verapamil 120mg SR Tablet | Isoptin SR | BG | One | $61 | |
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| Verapamil 120mg tablet | Calan | No | Three | $143 | |
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| Verapamil 120mg tablet | Generic | Yes | Three | $31 | |
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Verapamil 180mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $35 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Verapamil 180mg SR capsule | Verelan | BG | One | $90 | |
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| Verapamil 180mg SR tablet | Calan SR | No | One | $72 | |
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| Verapamil 180mg SR tablet | Covera HS | No | One | $61 | |
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Verapamil 180mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $22 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Verapamil 200mg SR capsule | Verelan PM | BG | One | $77 | |
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Verapamil 240mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $38 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Verapamil 240mg SR capsule | Verelan | BG | One | $100 | |
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| Verapamil 240mg SR tablet | Calan SR | No | One | $81 | |
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| Verapamil 240mg SR tablet | Covera HS | No | One | $84 | |
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Verapamil 240mg SR tablet | Generic | Yes | One | $23 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Verapamil 240mg SR tablet | Isoptin SR | BG | One | $81 | |
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| Verapamil 300mg SR capsule | Verelan PM | BG | One | $110 | |
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Verapamil 360mg SR capsule | Generic | Yes | One | $65 | HBP, HRAs | |
| Verapamil 360mg SR capsule | Verelan | BG | One | $142 | |
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(1) In the 2nd and 3rd columns, SR = Sustained Release; CR = Continuous Release; LA = Long-Acting; CD = Continuous Delivery.
(2) "Generic" indicates that this drug is sold as a generic under the generic name.
(3) "Yes" means it is a generic, sold under the chemical name. "BG" means it is a branded generic, which is a generic copy of an original drug but one given a special name by its generic manufacturer. "No" means it is a brand-name drug not yet available as a generic or a branded generic.
(4) Frequency of use reflects usual or typical frequency.
(5) Prices reflect nationwide retail average for September 2006, rounded to the nearest dollar; information derived by Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs from data provided by Wolters Kluwer Health, Pharmaceutical Audit Suite.
(6) "HBP" stands for high blood pressure.
(7) "HRAs" stands for heart rhythm or heart rate abnormalities.
(8) Angina is chest pain caused by coronary heart disease.
(2) "Generic" indicates that this drug is sold as a generic under the generic name.
(3) "Yes" means it is a generic, sold under the chemical name. "BG" means it is a branded generic, which is a generic copy of an original drug but one given a special name by its generic manufacturer. "No" means it is a brand-name drug not yet available as a generic or a branded generic.
(4) Frequency of use reflects usual or typical frequency.
(5) Prices reflect nationwide retail average for September 2006, rounded to the nearest dollar; information derived by Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs from data provided by Wolters Kluwer Health, Pharmaceutical Audit Suite.
(6) "HBP" stands for high blood pressure.
(7) "HRAs" stands for heart rhythm or heart rate abnormalities.
(8) Angina is chest pain caused by coronary heart disease.
Related Conditions
Learn more about conditions treated with Calcium Channel Blockers.
