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Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used in medicine and pharmacology to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). There are many classes of antihypertensives, which—by varying means—act by lowering blood pressure. Evidence suggests that reduction of the blood pressure by 5-6 mmHg can decrease the risk of stroke by 40%, of coronary heart disease by 15-20%, and reduces the likelihood of dementia, heart failure, and mortality from cardiovascular disease.

Which type of medication to use initially for hypertension has been the subject of several large studies and resulting national guidelines.The fundamental goal of treatment should be the prevention of the important "endpoints" of hypertension such as heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Several classes of medications are effective in reducing blood pressure. However, these classes differ in side effect profiles, ability to prevent endpoints, and cost. The choice of more expensive agents, where cheaper ones would be equally effective, may have negative impacts on national healthcare budgets.<ref name="budget">Nelson MR, McNeil JJ, Peeters A et al (Jun 4 2001). "PBS/RPBS cost implications of trends and guideline recommendations in the pharmacological management of hypertension in Australia, 1994-1998". Med J Aust 174 (11): 565-8. PMID 11453328.</ref>

In the United States, the JNC7 (The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention of Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure) recommends starting with a thiazide diuretic if single therapy is being initiated and another medication is not indicated.<ref name="jnc7">Chobanian AV et al (2003). "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report". JAMA 289: 2560-72. PMID 12748199.</ref> This is based on a slightly better outcome for chlortalidone in the ALLHAT study versus other anti-hypertensives and because thiazide diuretics are relatively cheap.<ref name="allhat">ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group (Dec 18 2002). "Major outcomes in high-risk hypertensive patients randomized to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or calcium channel blocker vs diuretic: The Antihypertensive and Lipid-Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT)". JAMA 288 (23): 2981-97. PMID 12479763.</ref> A subsequent smaller study (ANBP2) published after the JNC7 did not show this small difference in outcome and actually showed a slightly better outcome for ACE-inhibitors in older male patients.<ref name="anbp2">Wing LM, Reid CM, Ryan P et al (Feb 13 2003). "A comparison of outcomes with angiotensin-converting--enzyme inhibitors and diuretics for hypertension in the elderly". NEJM 348 (7): 583-92. PMID 12584366.</ref>

Despite thiazides being cheap, effective, and recommended as the best first-line drug for hypertension by many experts, they are not prescribed as often as some newer drugs. Arguably, this is because they are off-patent and thus rarely promoted by the drug industry.<ref name="promotion">Wang TJ, Ausiello JC, Stafford RS (1999). "Trends in Antihypertensive Drug Advertising, 1985–1996". Circulation 99: 2055-2057. PMID 10209012.</ref>

In the United Kingdom, the June 2006 "Hypertension: management of hypertension in adults in primary care"<ref>Hypertension: management of hypertension in adults in primary care (PDF). National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Retrieved on 2006-09-30.</ref> guideline of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, downgraded the role of beta-blockers due to their risk of provoking type 2 diabetes.<ref>Sheetal Ladva (28/06/2006). NICE and BHS launch updated hypertension guideline. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Retrieved on 2006-09-30.</ref>

Contents 1 Available drugs 1.1 Diuretics 1.2 Antiadrenergics 1.3 Calcium channel blockers 1.4 ACE inhibitors 1.5 Angiotensin II receptor antagonists 1.6 Aldosterone antagonists 1.7 Vasodilators 1.8 Centrally acting adrenergic drugs 1.8.1 Adrenergic neuron blockers 1.9 Herbals provoking hypotension 2 Choice 3 References 4 See also

[edit] Available drugs

[edit] Diuretics

Diuretics help the kidneys eliminate excess salt and water from the body's tissues and blood.

• Loop diuretics:
  • bumetanide
  • ethacrynic acid
  • furosemide
  • torsemide
• Thiazide diuretics:
  • chlortalidone
  • epitizide
  • hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide
  • bendroflumethiazide
• Thiazide-like diuretics:
  • indapamide
  • metolazone
• Potassium-sparing diuretics:
  • amiloride
  • triamterene

Although the above is a thorough list of diuretic agents, only the thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics have good evidence of beneficial effects on important endpoints of hypertension.

[edit] Antiadrenergics

Adrenergic receptor antagonists:

• Beta blockers:
  • atenolol
  • metoprolol
  • nadolol
  • oxprenolol
  • pindolol
  • propranolol
  • timolol
• Alpha blockers:
  • doxazosin
  • phentolamine
  • indoramin
  • phenoxybenzamine
  • prazosin
  • terazosin
  • tolazoline
• Mixed Alpha + Beta blockers:
  • bucindolol
  • carvedilol
  • labetalol

Although beta blockers lower blood pressure, they do not have as positive a benefit on endpoints as some other antihypertensives.<ref name="betablockers">Lindholm LH, Carlberg B, Samuelsson O (Oct 29-Nov 4 2005). "Should beta blockers remain first choice in the treatment of primary hypertension? A meta-analysis". Lancet 366 (9496): 1545-53. PMID 16257341.</ref> In particular, atenolol seems to be less useful in hypertension than several other agents.<ref name="atenolol">Carlberg B, Samuelsson O, Lindholm LH (Nov 6-12 2004). "Atenolol in hypertension: is it a wise choice?". Lancet 364 (9446): 1684-9. PMID 15530629.</ref> However, beta blockers have an important role in the prevention of heart attack in people who have already had a heart attack.<ref name="bbmi">Freemantle N, Cleland J, Young P et al (Jun 26 1999). "Beta Blockade after myocardial infarction: systematic review and meta regression analysis". BMJ 318 (7200): 1730-7. PMID 10381708.</ref>

Despite lowering blood pressure, alpha blockers have significantly poorer endpoint outcomes than other antihypertensives, and are no longer recommended as a first-line choice in the treatment of hypertension.<ref name="alpha">ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group (Sep 2003). "Diuretic Versus alpha-Blocker as First-Step Antihypertensive Therapy". Hypertension 42 (3): 239-46. PMID 12925554.</ref> However, they may be useful for some men with symptoms of prostate disease.

[edit] Calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers block the entry of calcium into muscle cells in artery walls.

• dihydropyridines:
  • amlodipine
  • felodipine
  • isradipine
  • nifedipine
  • nimodipine
  • nitrendipine
• non-dihydropyridines:
  • diltiazem
  • verapamil

[edit] ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors inhibit the activity of Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), an enzyme responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor.

• captopril
• enalapril
• fosinopril
• lisinopril
• perindopril
• quinapril
• ramipril
• trandopril
• benzapril

[edit] Angiotensin II receptor antagonists

Angiotensin II receptor antagonists work by antagonizing the activation of angiotensin receptors.

• candesartan
• irbesartan
• losartan
• telmisartan
• valsartan

[edit] Aldosterone antagonists

Aldosterone antagonists:

• spironolactone

Aldosterone antagonists are not recommended as first-line agents for blood pressure,<ref name="jnc7" /> but spironolactone is useful in the treatment of heart failure.

[edit] Vasodilators

Vasodilators act directly on arteries to relax their walls so blood can move more easily through them; they are only used in medical emergencies.

• sodium nitroprusside

[edit] Centrally acting adrenergic drugs

Central alpha agonists lower blood pressure by stimulating alpha-receptors in the brain which open peripheral arteries easing blood flow. Central alpha agonists, like Clonidine, are usually prescribed when all other anti-hypertensive medications have failed.

• Clonidine
• Guanabenz
• Methyldopa

[edit] Adrenergic neuron blockers

• Guanethidine
• Reserpine

[edit] Herbals provoking hypotension

^{[citation needed]}

• Agrimony
• Celery
• Cornsilk
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Ginseng
• Goldenseal
• Hawthorn
• Mistletoe
• Nettle
• Parsley
• Pokeroot
• Sage
• Squill
• Wild Carrot

[edit] Choice

The choice between the drugs is to a large degree determined by the characteristics of the patient being prescribed for, the drugs' side-effects, and cost. 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). The JNC 7 report outlines compelling reasons to choose one drug over the others for certain individual patients.<ref name="jnc7" />

[edit] References

<references/>

1. Herbals Affecting Blood Pressure [Herbal Provoking Hypotension; Clark (2003) AAFP Board Review, Seattle ]

[edit] See also

• arterial hypertension

Antihypertensives (C02) and diuretics (C03) edit
Antiadrenergic agents (including alpha):	Clonidine, Doxazosin, Guanethidine, Guanfacine, Lofexidine, Mecamylamine, Methyldopa, Moxonidine, Prazosin, Rescinnamine, Reserpine
Vasodilators:	Diazoxide, Hydralazine, Minoxidil, Nitroprusside, Phentolamine
Other antihypertensives:	Bosentan, Ketanserin
Low ceiling diuretics:	Bendroflumethiazide, Chlorothiazide, Chlortalidone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Quinethazone, Mersalyl, Metolazone, Theobromine
High ceiling diuretics:	Bumetanide, Furosemide, Torasemide
Potassium-sparing diuretics:	Amiloride, Eplerenone, Spironolactone, Triamterene

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hu:Antihipertenzív szerek nn:Blodtrykkssenkjande lækjemiddel pt:Antihipertensivo th:ยาลดความดัน