What is "dihydropyridine"

n. A molecule based upon pyridine, the parent of a class of molecules that have been semi-saturated with two substituents replacing one double bond.

Dihydropyridine is a molecule based upon pyridine, and the parent of a class of molecules that have been semi- saturated with two substituents replacing one double bond. They are particularly well known in pharmacology as L-type calcium channel blockers, used in the treatment of hypertension. Compared with certain other L-type calcium channel blockers (for example those of the phenylalkylamine class such as verapamil) that have significant action at the heart, they are relatively vascular selective in their mechanism of action in lowering blood pressure.