Nifedipine is the prototype of the dihydropyridine class of calcium-channel antagonists.
Nifedipine is structurally and pharmacologically similar to other dihydropyridines including amlodipine, felodipine, and nicardipine. Nifedipine and the dihydropyridine class have more prominent effects on vasodilation and coronary flow than do diltiazem and verapamil. Unlike both diltiazem and verapamil, however, nifedipine has negligible effects on AV nodal conduction. This difference is attributed to the fact that nifedipine binds to a different site in the calcium channel. Nifedipine is used in the treatment of Prinzmetal's angina, hypertension, and other vascular disorders such as Raynaud's phenomenon .