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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Safe Are Calcium Channel Blockers In Elderly?

I am currently prescribed Metoprolol and I am a 63 year old woman I have read that beta blockers can make depression worst and that beta blockers should not be prescribed for people over 60 and they can cause weight gain. Is calcium channel blockers safer for my age and what is the best medicine of these without a lot of side effects?
Mon, 2 Nov 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Dear Ma'am, Hi
I can understand your concern regarding the safety of calcium channel blockers in elderly.
Incomplete data like purpose of taking calcium channel blocker?

Calcium channel blockers are effective and safe in the elderly. A longer acting calcium channel blocker like Amlodipine is much more safer than the short acting calcium channel blockers like Nifedipine.
Although less commonly seen the following side effects like constipation, ankle oedema, & flushing can occur with these drugs.

However, ACE inhibitors (Lisinopril or Enalapril) may be superior to calcium channel blockers in prevention of myocardial infarction and heart failure in the elderly & diabetic patients.

Hope this answers your query.
Best regards.
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How Safe Are Calcium Channel Blockers In Elderly?

Dear Ma am, Hi I can understand your concern regarding the safety of calcium channel blockers in elderly. Incomplete data like purpose of taking calcium channel blocker? Calcium channel blockers are effective and safe in the elderly. A longer acting calcium channel blocker like Amlodipine is much more safer than the short acting calcium channel blockers like Nifedipine. Although less commonly seen the following side effects like constipation, ankle oedema, & flushing can occur with these drugs. However, ACE inhibitors (Lisinopril or Enalapril) may be superior to calcium channel blockers in prevention of myocardial infarction and heart failure in the elderly & diabetic patients. Hope this answers your query. Best regards.