Which of the following is an example of a dihydropyridine CCB?

Amlodipine is identified as a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (CCB) due to its chemical structure, which contains a dihydropyridine ring. This classification distinguishes amlodipine from other types of calcium channel blockers. Dihydropyridine CCBs primarily affect vascular smooth muscle, which results in the dilation of blood vessels, leading to decreased blood pressure and reduced cardiac workload. Amlodipine is commonly used to manage hypertension and angina due to its efficacy and longer duration of action.

Verapamil and diltiazem, while they are CCBs, belong to a different category known as non-dihydropyridine CCBs, which have additional effects on cardiac muscle and can impact heart rate and contraction strength. Propranolol is a beta-blocker, not a calcium channel blocker, and acts primarily on beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and blood vessels. This classification is essential for understanding drug mechanisms and therapeutic applications in treating cardiovascular conditions.