A patient on verapamil for cluster headaches needs a drug for hypertension. Which antihypertensive would likely cause the most serious interaction with verapamil?

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Study for the Foundation Year Pharmacy – Clinical Practice Test. Prepare with detailed questions, step-by-step explanations, and test format insights. Enhance your readiness and confidence!

Multiple Choice

A patient on verapamil for cluster headaches needs a drug for hypertension. Which antihypertensive would likely cause the most serious interaction with verapamil?

Verapamil slows AV nodal conduction and lowers heart rate. When it’s combined with a beta-blocker like atenolol, the two drugs’ effects on the heart’s rate and conduction add up, greatly increasing the risk of severe bradycardia, AV block, and hypotension. The other antihypertensives listed don’t have this same risk of compounding AV nodal suppression: ACE inhibitors and diuretics mainly affect blood pressure through volume and resistance, while a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (amlodipine) mainly causes vasodilation with less impact on AV conduction. So the combination with atenolol poses the most serious interaction with verapamil.

A patient on verapamil for cluster headaches needs a drug for hypertension. Which antihypertensive would likely cause the most serious interaction with verapamil?

Study for the Foundation Year Pharmacy – Clinical Practice Test. Prepare with detailed questions, step-by-step explanations, and test format insights. Enhance your readiness and confidence!

A patient on verapamil for cluster headaches needs a drug for hypertension. Which antihypertensive would likely cause the most serious interaction with verapamil?

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