Antihypertensive

Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used In medicine and pharmacology to treat hypertension.

Available drugs

Diuretics

• • amiloride
  • Loop diuretic
    • bumetanide
    • ethacrynic acid
    • furosemide
  • Thiazide diuretics
    • chlorothalidone
    • epitizide
    • hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide
    • indapamide
    • triamterene

Antiadrenergics

• • Beta blockers
    • atenolol
    • metaprolol
    • oxprenolol
    • pindolol
    • propanolol
  • Alpha blockers

ACE inhibitors

• • captopril
  • enalapril
  • lisinopril
  • ramipril

Calcium channel blockers

• • dihydropyridines
  • diltiazem
  • felodipine
  • isradipine
  • nifedipine
  • nitrendipine
  • verapamil

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists

(ATII inhibitors)

• • irbesartan
  • losartan
  • valsartan

Aldosterone antagonists

• • spironolactone

Vasodilators

• (only used in emergencies)

Choice

The choice between the drugs is to a large degree determined by their side-effects. For example, asthmatics have been reported to have worsening symptoms when using beta blockers. Most drugs have other uses; sometimes the presence of other symptoms can warrant the use of one particular antihypertensive (such as beta blockers in case of tremor and nervousness, and alpha blockers in case of benign prostatic hyperplasia).

See also

• arterial hypertension