Best Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker for hypertension
Top-rated pick: Cardene — pharmaranks score 70/100, the highest of the 8 Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker drugs used for hypertension, ranked by our independent FDA recall-safety score. Compare them with all treatments for hypertension or the full Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker class. Not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Quick answer: Of the 8 dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker drugs we rate for hypertension, 7 are available as lower-cost generics, and most are injectable. Our ranking reflects each drug’s FDA recall-safety record — not clinical effectiveness for hypertension; the right choice depends on your situation, so confirm it with your prescriber.
How dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker work
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers stop calcium from entering the muscle cells in your blood vessel walls. With less calcium, those muscles relax and the vessels widen, which lowers blood pressure and eases the heart's workload.
Source: Calcium Channel Blockers - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf
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Top dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker for hypertension: 1. Cardene · 2. Cardene in 0.83% Sodium Chloride in Plastic Container · 3. Cardene in 0.86% Sodium Chloride in Plastic Container
| # | Drug | Rating | Type | Form | Generic? | Pharmacy pays | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $41 | View → | |
| 2 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $41 | View → | |
| 3 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $41 | View → | |
| 4 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $41 | View → | |
| 5 | 70/100 | Prescription | Injectable | Generic | $41 | View → | |
| 6 | 70/100 | Prescription | Emulsion | No data | — | View → | |
| 7 | 70/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $140 | View → | |
| 8 | 64/100 | Prescription | Tablet | Generic | $5 | View → |
Full ranking · 8 drugs
cardene
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cardene (Nicardipine Hydrochloride) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Variant Angina Pectoris, Hypertension, Stable Angina.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$39.78/30· 2 forms Save up to 91% in classcardene in 0.83% sodium chloride in plastic container
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cardene in 0.83% Sodium Chloride in Plastic Container (Nicardipine Hydrochloride) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Variant Angina Pectoris, Hypertension, Stable Angina.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$39.78/30· 2 forms Save up to 91% in classcardene in 0.86% sodium chloride in plastic container
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cardene in 0.86% Sodium Chloride in Plastic Container (Nicardipine Hydrochloride) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Variant Angina Pectoris, Hypertension, Stable Angina.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$39.78/30· 2 forms Save up to 91% in classcardene in 4.8% dextrose in plastic container
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cardene in 4.8% Dextrose in Plastic Container (Nicardipine Hydrochloride) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Variant Angina Pectoris, Hypertension, Stable Angina.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$39.78/30· 2 forms Save up to 91% in classcardene in 5.0% dextrose in plastic container
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cardene in 5.0% Dextrose in Plastic Container (Nicardipine Hydrochloride) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Variant Angina Pectoris, Hypertension, Stable Angina.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$39.78/30· 2 forms Save up to 91% in classcleviprex
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Cleviprex (Clevidipine) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Hypertension.
Price varies
sular
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Sular (Nisoldipine) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Variant Angina Pectoris, Hypertension.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$110.96/30· 3 forms Save up to 97% in class
procardia xl
PrescriptionFDA-sourced
Procardia XL (Nifedipine) is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker used to treat Variant Angina Pectoris, Hypertension, Stable Angina.
Pharmacy pays
From ~$3.77/30· 5 forms Save up to 26% in classFrequently asked
- What is the best dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker for hypertension?
- By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — cardene ranks highest among Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker drugs used for hypertension. Always consult a professional.
- Which dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker drugs treat hypertension?
- pharmaranks lists 8 Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker products used for hypertension, per NIH RxClass drug-classification data — each independently rated and ranked above.
- How are these ranked?
- By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.