Inappropriate prescription of loop diuretics for calcium channel blocker-related peripheral edema: Lessons from physiology.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) are commonly used antihypertensive agents, with peripheral edema being a common side effect, reported in up to 70 % of cases. A common pitfall among physicians is that they consider this fluid overload, with some prescribing loop diuretics. Nonetheless, this might lead to several complications, such as electrolyte abnormalities and acute kidney injury, among others. In this article, we describe the main mechanisms of the vasodilatory and diuretic-resistant edema of CCB and suggest several strategies that might aid physicians in reducing this side effect.