Practical Applications of The Antihypertensive Drugs I. Theoretical Part Classification
Practical Applications of The Antihypertensive Drugs I. Theoretical Part Classification
Practical Applications of The Antihypertensive Drugs I. Theoretical Part Classification
I. THEORETICAL PART
CLASSIFICATION
Diuretics
Thiazides and related agents: HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE, INDAPAMIDE,
CHLORTHALIDONE
Loop diuretics: FUROSEMIDE, ETHACRYNIC ACID, BUMETANIDE
Potassium sparing diuretics: AMILORIDE, SPIRONOLACTONE, TRIAMTERENE
Sympatholytics
Beta-blockers:
o Non-selective agents (β1 and β2): ALPRENOLOL, PINDOLOL,
CARTEOLOL, PROPRANOLOL, NADOLOL, SOTALOL, OXPRENOLOL,
TIMOLOL
o Selective agents (β1): ACEBUTOLOL, ESMOLOL, ATENOLOL,
METOPROLOL, BETAXOLOL, NEBIVOLOL, BISOPROLOL
Alfa-blockers: DOXAZOSIN, PRAZOSIN, TERAZOSIN
Alfa and beta blockers: LABETOLOL, CARVEDILOL
Sympathetic inhibitors with central action: METHYLDOPA, CLONIDINE,
GUANABENZ, GUANFACINE
Sympathetic inhibitors with peripheral action: GUANADREL, RESERPINE
Calcium channel blockers:
Dihydropyridines: AMLODIPINE, NIFEDIPINE, FELODIPINE, NIMODIPINE,
LACIDIPINE, NITRENDIPINE, NICARDIPINE
Phenylalkylamine: VERAPAMIL, GALLOPAMIL
Benzothiazepine: DILTIAZEM
Renine-angiotensine-aldosterone system inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: CAPTOPRIL, ENALAPRIL,
FOSINOPRIL, LISINOPRIL, PERINDOPRIL, QUINAPRIL, RAMIPRIL,
TRANDOLAPRIL, BENAZEPRIL
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists: CANDESARTAN, EPROSARTAN,
IRBESARTAN, LOSARTAN, TELMISARTAN, VALSARTAN
Vasodilators: HYDRALAZINE, MINOXIDIL, DIAZOXID, SODIUM NITROPRUSSIDE
1. Antihypertensive drugs are administered in low doses, which can be increased every
2-3 weeks if nececssary, according to the blood pressure values.
2. The patient should not drink alcohol (decreases BP) or smoke (decreases the effect of
ACE inhibitors).
3. Diuretics are administered as first intention treatment in case of elderly patients with
mild to moderate hypertension. For the long term treatment a low dose of thiazide
diuretic is to be administered.
4. Loop diuretics are administered usually in emergencies. Furosemide, IV rapidly, could
determine deafness. To avoid this side effect, the rhythm of administration should be
lower than 4 mg/min.
5. During the treatment with diuretics, monitoring of plasmatic potassium, magnesium,
calcium, chloride, glycemia and uric acid concentration is necessary.
6. The most frequent side effect of thiazide diuretics is hypopotasemia. For this reason,
the association with potassium sparing diuretics is useful.
7. ACE inhibitors are the golden standard in case of heart failure and can be administered
in high risk patients with HBP (elderly, with diabetes). If dry cough appears, we can
choose an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. Direct renin inhibitors are not considered
to be first line drugs, because there are insufficient long term studies.
8. Betablockers are administered in young hypertensive patients with hyperkinetic
syndrome, ischemia or patients under treatment with direct vasodilators.
9. Betablockers have a high risk of rebound and we have to reduce the dose slowly.
10. Nonselective betablockers should not be administered in patients with bronchial
asthma, chronic bronchitis or COPD. In case of selective betablockers, selectivity will
be lost after high doses.
11. Betablockers should be avoided in diabetic patients because they mask the symptoms
of hypoglycemia.
12. Acute intoxication with betablockers are treated with Atropine IV (for bradycardia),
temporary pace-maker, Isoprenaline or alfa agonists (increase the blood pressure) and
antiseizure agents.
13. Verapamil and Diltiazem have an inotrop negative effect and should not be
administered in association with betablockers. Nifedipine produces vasodilation and
should not be associated with nitrates (hypotension and reflex tachycardia).
14. The antihypertensive drug should be choosen according to the associated pathology: