AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a common selective alpha 1 antagonist?

1. Alfuzosin

2. Doxazosin

3. Amlodipine

4. Tamsulosin

The correct answer is: Amlodipine

Amlodipine is not a selective alpha-1 antagonist; rather, it is a calcium channel blocker. This class of medication is primarily used to treat hypertension and angina by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the workload on the heart. On the other hand, the other medications listed—Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, and Tamsulosin—are all selective alpha-1 antagonists. These medications work by blocking alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, leading to the relaxation of smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck, which is particularly beneficial for patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or those with hypertension. Therefore, in the context of this question, Amlodipine stands apart as it serves a different pharmacological purpose compared to the other options, which are specifically indicated for conditions relating to alpha-1 receptor antagonism.