A potassium channel opener is a type of
drug
A drug is any chemical substance that causes a change in an organism's physiology or psychology when consumed. Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhal ...
which facilitates
ion
An ion () is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge.
The charge of an electron is considered to be negative by convention and this charge is equal and opposite to the charge of a proton, which is considered to be positive by conven ...
transmission through
potassium channel
Potassium channels are the most widely distributed type of ion channel found in virtually all organisms. They form potassium-selective pores that span cell membranes. Potassium channels are found in most cell types and control a wide variety of c ...
s.
Examples
Some examples include:
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Diazoxide
Diazoxide, sold under the brand name Proglycem and others, is a medication used to treat low blood sugar due to a number of specific causes. This includes islet cell tumors that cannot be removed and leucine sensitivity. It can also be used in ...
vasodilator used for hypertension, smooth muscle relaxing activity
*
Minoxidil
Minoxidil, sold under the brand name Rogaine among others, is a medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure and pattern hair loss. It is an antihypertensive vasodilator. It is available as a generic medication by prescription in ...
vasodilator used for hypertension, also used to treat hair loss
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Nicorandil
Nicorandil is a vasodilatory drug used to treat angina.
Angina is chest pain that results from episodes of transient myocardial ischemia. This can be caused by diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease and aortic stenosis. Angin ...
vasodilator used to treat angina
*
Pinacidil
Pinacidil is a cyanoguanidine drug that opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels producing peripheral vasodilatation of arterioles. It reduces blood pressure
Blood pressure (BP) is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood v ...
[ ]
*
Retigabine
Retigabine (INN) or ezogabine ( USAN) is an anticonvulsant used as an adjunctive treatment for partial epilepsies in treatment-experienced adult patients. The drug was developed by Valeant Pharmaceuticals and GlaxoSmithKline. It was approved b ...
,
an anticonvulsant
*
Flupirtine, analgesic with muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant properties
See also
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Potassium channel blocker
Potassium channel blockers are agents which interfere with conduction through potassium channels.
Medical uses
Arrhythmia
Potassium channel blockers used in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia are classified as class III antiarrhythmic age ...
References
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