Amlodipine is a medication used to treat hypertension and belongs to which drug class?

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Multiple Choice

Amlodipine is a medication used to treat hypertension and belongs to which drug class?

Explanation:
Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering smooth muscle in arterial walls, causing the vessels to relax and dilate. Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, so it lowers blood pressure mainly by reducing arterial tone and systemic vascular resistance. This mechanism fits hypertension treatment and distinguishes it from diuretics (which lower pressure by reducing volume), beta-blockers (which slow heart rate and decrease contractility), and ACE inhibitors (which block angiotensin II formation).

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering smooth muscle in arterial walls, causing the vessels to relax and dilate. Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, so it lowers blood pressure mainly by reducing arterial tone and systemic vascular resistance. This mechanism fits hypertension treatment and distinguishes it from diuretics (which lower pressure by reducing volume), beta-blockers (which slow heart rate and decrease contractility), and ACE inhibitors (which block angiotensin II formation).

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