Potassium channel opener

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Potassium channel openers are a group of blood pressure reducers which, by opening the potassium channel, reduce the influx of K ⁺ ions into the cell and thus counteract membrane depolarization and excitation of vascular muscle cells . They are only used as so-called reserve antihypertensive drugs if the therapy with beta blockers , AT1 antagonists , diuretics , calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors fails.

Examples are minoxidil , diazoxid , nicorandil , pinacidil and levcromakalim .

In addition, some potassium channel openers have a hyperglycemic effect , as they inhibit the release of insulin . Diazoxide, which is no longer used as an antihypertensive agent today , can be used to treat hypoglycemia (e.g. islet cell tumors ).

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