Calcium channel blockers used in pregnancy commonly cause which of the following adverse effects?

• A. Hypotension, headache, nausea, reflux, and tachycardia
• B. Hypertension and tachycardia
• C. Hyperglycemia and edema
• D. Seizures and hepatic dysfunction

Answer: (A)

Calcium channel blockers used tocolyze pregnancy work by relaxing smooth muscle and dilating blood vessels. This vasodilation leads to several common maternal side effects: lower blood pressure (hypotension) from the systemic vasodilation, headaches from cerebral vessel dilation, and gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and reflux. The drop in blood pressure often triggers reflex tachycardia as the heart tries to maintain perfusion. While edema can occur with these drugs, the pattern described here—hypotension with headache, nausea/reflux, and tachycardia—best captures the typical adverse effects seen with tocolytic calcium channel blockers. Hypertension, hyperglycemia, seizures, and hepatic dysfunction are not characteristic of this medication class in this setting.