Thursday October 15, 1998 - Question 6

Which of the following statements about the pharmacokinetics of the calcium channel blockers is correct?

A. Diltiazem is metabolized via the hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzyme system to all inactive metabolites.

B. Metabolism of nifedipine is limited and over 70% of nifedipine is excreted unchanged in the urine.

C. Calcium channel blocker serum concentrations play a role in the management of the patient with calcium channel blocker toxicity.

D. Diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil all have long plasma half-lives, which are usually in the range of 24 hours.

E. The half-lives of diltiazem, nifedipine and verapamil are not affected by hepatic impairment.
 
 

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