Calcium antagonists--terminology, classification and comparison.

A survey is given of the terminology and classification of calcium antagonistic drugs. Calcium entry blockers are defined as drugs of which the major effect is the selective blockade of the slow inward current across the membrane, also under physiological conditions. Calcium overload blockers are defined as compounds which prevent the overloading of the cell with calcium under pathological, ischemic conditions. Both types of drugs should be considered as examples of different principles, although compounds which possess both properties simultaneously are known to exist. Furthermore, a comparison is made between the various groups of calcium entry blockers and calcium overload blockers, with respect to their chemical, pharmacological and therapeutic properties, including their organ specificity.