Amlodipine besylate

Amlodipine is a long acting calcium channel antagonist that selectively inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes. It acts at the voltage gated calcium channel of the CaV1 or L-type class. It targets L-type calcium channels in muscle cells and N-type calcium channels in the central nervous system which are involved in nociceptive signalling and pain perception. Amlodipine is also an antihypertensive agent that inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes, with a greater effect on vascular smooth muscle cells. This causes vasodilation and a reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, thus lowering blood pressure. Its effects on cardiac muscle also prevent excessive constriction in the coronary arteries. Amlodipine has been shown to inhibit proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells and epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells.