Antihypertensive
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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.[1]
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.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1]
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.[1]
In the United Kingdom, the June 2006 "Hypertension: management of hypertension in adults in primary care"[1] 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.[1]
Available drugs
Diuretics
Diuretics help the kidneys eliminate excess salt and water from the body's tissues and blood.
- Loop diuretics:
- Thiazide diuretics:
- chlortalidone
- epitizide
- hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide
- bendroflumethiazide
- Thiazide-like diuretics:
- Potassium-sparing diuretics:
Only the thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics have good evidence of beneficial effects on important endpoints of hypertension, and hence, should usually be the 1st choice when selecting a diuretic to treat hypertension. The reason why thiazides-type diuretics are better than the others is (at least in part) thought to be because of their vasodilating properties.
Although the diuretic effect of thiazides may be apparent shortly after administration, it takes longer (weeks of treatment) for the full anti-hypertensive effect to develop.
Adrenergic receptor antagonists
- Beta blockers (no longer 1st line therapy in many countries - see Lancet October 29th 2005):
- Alpha blockers:
- 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.[1] In particular, atenolol seems to be less useful in hypertension than several other agents.[1] However, beta blockers have an important role in the prevention of heart attack in people who have already had a heart attack.[1]
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.[1] However, they may be useful for some men with symptoms of prostate disease.
Adrenergic receptor agonist
- Alpha-2 agonists:
Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers block the entry of calcium into muscle cells in artery walls.
- dihydropyridines:
- non-dihydropyridines:
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.
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists work by antagonizing the activation of angiotensin receptors.
Aldosterone antagonists
Aldosterone receptor antagonists:
Aldosterone antagonists are not recommended as first-line agents for blood pressure,[1] but spironolactone is used in the treatment of heart failure.
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.
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, such as clonidine, are usually prescribed when all other anti-hypertensive medications have failed. For treating hypertension, these drugs are usually administered in combination with a diuretic.
Adverse effects of this class of drugs include sedation, drying of the nasal mucosa and rebound hypertension.
Some adrenergic neuron blockers are used for the most resistant forms of hypertension:
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.[1]
References
External Links
Major Drug Groups | |
|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal tract (A) | Antacids • Antiemetics • H₂-receptor antagonists • Proton pump inhibitors • Laxatives • Antidiarrhoeals |
| Blood and blood forming organs (B) | Anticoagulants • Antiplatelets • Thrombolytics |
| Cardiovascular system (C) | Antiarrhythmics • Antihypertensives • Diuretics • Vasodilators • Antianginals • Beta blockers • Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors • Antihyperlipidemics |
| Skin (D) | Emollients - Antipruritics |
| Reproductive system (G) | Hormonal contraception • Fertility agents • Selective estrogen receptor modulators • Sex hormones |
| Endocrine system (H) | Anti-diabetics • Corticosteroids • Sex hormones • Thyroid hormones |
| Infections and Infestations (J, P) | Antibiotics • Antivirals • Vaccines • Antifungals • Antiprotozoals • Anthelmintics |
| Malignant and Immune disease (L) | Anticancer agents • Immunostimulators • Immunosuppressants |
| Muscles, Bones, and Joints (M) | Anabolic steroids • Anti-inflammatories • Antirheumatics • Corticosteroids • Muscle relaxants |
| Brain and Nervous system (N) | Anesthetics • Analgesics • Anticonvulsants • Mood stabilizers • Anxiolytics • Antipsychotics • Antidepressants • Nervous system stimulants • Sedatives |
| Respiratory system (R) | Bronchodilators • Decongestants • Antihistamines |
WikiDoc Research Resources for Antihypertensive | |
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| Articles on Antihypertensive | Most recent articles on Antihypertensive • Most cited articles on Antihypertensive • Review articles on Antihypertensive • Articles on Antihypertensive in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ |
| Media (Slides, Video, Images, MP3) on Antihypertensive | Powerpoint slides on Antihypertensive • Images of Antihypertensive • Photos of Antihypertensive • Podcasts & MP3s on Antihypertensive • Videos on Antihypertensive |
| Evidence Based Medicine Regarding Antihypertensive | Cochrane Collaboration on Antihypertensive • Bandolier on Antihypertensive • TRIP on Antihypertensive |
| Cost Effectiveness of Antihypertensive | Cost Effectiveness of Antihypertensive |
| Clinical Trials Involving Antihypertensive | Ongoing Trials on Antihypertensive at Clinical Trials.gov • Trial results on Antihypertensive • Clinical Trials on Antihypertensive at Google |
| Guidelines / Policies / Government Resources (FDA/CDC) Regarding Antihypertensive | US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Antihypertensive • NICE Guidance on Antihypertensive • NHS PRODIGY Guidance • FDA on Antihypertensive • CDC on Antihypertensive |
| Textbook Information on Antihypertensive | Books and Textbook Information on Antihypertensive |
| Pharmacology Resources on Antihypertensive | Dosing of Antihypertensive • Drug interactions with Antihypertensive • Side effects of Antihypertensive • Allergic reactions to Antihypertensive • Overdose information on Antihypertensive • Carcinogenicity information on Antihypertensive • Antihypertensive in pregnancy • Pharmacokinetics of Antihypertensive • |
| Genetics, Pharmacogenomics, and Proteinomics of Antihypertensive | Genetics of Antihypertensive • Pharmacogenomics of Antihypertensive • Proteomics of Antihypertensive |
| Newstories on Antihypertensive | Antihypertensive in the news • Be alerted to news on Antihypertensive • News trends on Antihypertensive |
| Commentary on Antihypertensive | Blogs on Antihypertensive |
| Patient Resources on Antihypertensive | Patient resources on Antihypertensive • Discussion groups on Antihypertensive • Patient Handouts on Antihypertensive • Directions to Hospitals Treating Antihypertensive • Risk calculators and risk factors for Antihypertensive |
| Healthcare Provider Resources on Antihypertensive | Symptoms of Antihypertensive • Causes & Risk Factors for Antihypertensive • Diagnostic studies for Antihypertensive • Treatment of Antihypertensive |
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| International Resources on Antihypertensive | Antihypertensive en Espanol • Antihypertensive en Francais |
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Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content
Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .
