Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers are widely used in elderly patients; as such there are concerns about decreased medication adherence due to increased risk of fractures from falls and cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, promotion of appropriate use of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in elderly patients is considered an important role for pharmacy pharmacists. In terms of interpersonal services provided by pharmacy pharmacists, telephone follow-up during the medication period is one of the methods to continuously monitor patients’ medication status. In this study, we report two cases in which pharmacy pharmacist’s follow-up contributed to the appropriate use of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers in elderly patients. In case 1, a pharmacy pharmacist followed up with the family and caregivers of an elderly patient who had started amlodipine and was experiencing worsening lower-extremity edema. After switching to cilnidipine, the patient’s blood pressure decreased, and the edema condition improved. In case 2, an elderly patient who was switched from amlodipine to olmesartan was followed up and found to have elevated blood pressure and tachycardia as well as using amlodipine at his own discretion. The pharmacy pharmacist immediately recommended that the patient consult a physician and suggested that the physician switch to azelnidipine, as appropriate antihypertensive and tachycardia treatment steps were needed. After switching to azelnidipine, a decrease in blood pressure and improvement in tachycardia were observed. These cases suggest that for elderly patients, pharmacist follow-up becomes useful in the appropriate use of dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers.
