Clevidipine
Clevidipine
Clevidipine (pronounced as klev-ih-dih-peen) is a calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), particularly in a critical care setting.
Etymology
The term "Clevidipine" is derived from its chemical structure. The "cle" refers to the chlorine atom in its structure, "vidi" is derived from the Latin word "videre" meaning "to see", referring to its clear, colorless appearance, and "pine" is a common suffix for drugs in the dihydropyridine class, which Clevidipine belongs to.
Usage
Clevidipine is used to manage acute hypertension when oral therapy is not feasible or not desirable. It is often used in hospital settings, particularly in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or during surgery.
Mechanism of Action
Clevidipine works by inhibiting the influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle cells, causing these cells to relax and thus, dilate the blood vessels. This results in a decrease in blood pressure.
Related Terms
- Calcium Channel Blocker: A type of medication that disrupts the movement of calcium through calcium channels, which can help relax and widen blood vessels.
- Hypertension: A chronic medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.
- Dihydropyridine: A class of calcium channel blockers that are particularly used in the treatment of hypertension.
- Intensive Care Unit: A department of a hospital where critically ill patients are housed for treatment by a multidisciplinary team.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Clevidipine
- Wikipedia's article - Clevidipine
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