Antihypertensive drug - wikipedia Antihypertensive drug Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used to treat hypertension ( high blood pressure ). Antihypertensive therapy seeks to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Evidence suggests that reduction of the blood pressure by 5 mmHg can decrease the risk of stroke by 34 %, of ischaemic heart disease by 21 %, and reduce the likelihood of dementia, heart failure, and mortality from cardiovascular disease. There are many classes of antihypertensives, which lower blood pressure by different means. Among the most important and most widely used drugs are thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists ( ARBs ), and beta blockers. 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. Patient age, associated clinical conditions and end - organ damage also play a part in determining dosage and type of medication administered. The several classes of antihypertensives 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. As of 2009, the best available evidence favors the thiazide diuretics as the first - line treatment of choice for high blood pressure when drugs are necessary. Although clinical evidence shows calcium channel blockers and thiazide - type diuretics are preferred first - line treatments for most people ( from both efficacy and cost points of view ), an ACE inhibitor is recommended by NICE in the UK for those under 55 years old. Contents 1 Diuretics 2 Calcium channel blockers 3 ACE inhibitors 4 Angiotensin II receptor antagonists 5 Adrenergic receptor antagonists 6 Vasodilators 7 Renin Inhibitors 8 Aldosterone receptor antagonists 9 Alpha - 2 adrenergic receptor agonists 10 Endothelin receptor blockers 11 Choice of initial medication 11.1 Patient factors 12 Research 12.1 Blood pressure vaccines 13 References Diuretics Hydrochlorothiazide, a popular thiazide diuretic 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 : epitizide hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide bendroflumethiazide methyclothiazide polythiazide Thiazide - like diuretics : indapamide chlorthalidone metolazone Potassium - sparing diuretics : amiloride triamterene spironolactone eplerenone In the United States, the JNC8 ( Eighth Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure ) recommends thiazide - type diuretics to be one of the first - line drug treatments for hypertension, either as monotherapy or in combination with calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin II receptor antagonists. There are fixed - dose combination drugs, such as ACE inhibitor and thiazide combinations. Despite thiazides being cheap and effective, they are not prescribed as often as some newer drugs. This is because they have been associated with increased risk of new - onset diabetes and as such are recommended for use in patients over 65 where the risk of new - onset diabetes is outweighed by the benefits of controlling systolic blood pressure. Another theory is that they are off - patent and thus rarely promoted by the drug industry. Calcium channel blockers Calcium channel blockers block the entry of calcium into muscle cells in artery walls. dihydropyridines : amlodipine cilnidipine clevidipine felodipine isradipine lercanidipine levamlodipine nicardipine nifedipine nimodipine nisoldipine nitrendipine non-dihydropyridines : diltiazem verapamil JNC8 recommends calcium channel blockers to be a first - line treatment either as monotherapy or in combination with thiazide - type diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin II receptor antagonists for all patients regardless of age or race. ACE inhibitors Captopril, the prototypical ACE inhibitor 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 moexipril perindopril quinapril ramipril trandolapril benazepril A systematic review of 63 trials with over 35,000 participants indicated ACE inhibitors significantly reduced doubling of serum creatinine levels compared to other drugs ( ARBs, α blockers, β blockers, etc. ), and the authors suggested this as a first line of defense. The AASK trial showed that ACE inhibitors are more effective at slowing down the decline of kidney function compared to calcium channel blockers and beta blockers. As such, ACE inhibitors should be the drug treatment of choice for patients with chronic kidney disease regardless of race or diabetic status. However, ACE inhibitors ( and angiotensin II receptor antagonists ) should not be a first - line treatment for black hypertensives without chronic kidney disease. Results from the ALLHAT trial showed that thiazide - type diuretics and calcium channel blockers were both more effective as monotherapy in improving cardiovascular outcomes compared to ACE inhibitors for this subgroup. Furthermore, ACE inhibitors were less effective in reducing blood pressure and had a 51 % higher risk of stroke in black hypertensives when used as initial therapy compared to a calcium channel blocker. There are fixed - dose combination drugs, such as ACE inhibitor and thiazide combinations. Notable side effects of ACE inhibitors include dry cough, hyperkalemia, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, loss of taste and a risk for angioedema. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists Valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist Angiotensin II receptor antagonists work by antagonizing the activation of angiotensin receptors. azilsartan candesartan eprosartan irbesartan losartan olmesartan telmisartan valsartan Fimasartan Whether angiotensin receptor blockers may or may not increase the risk of myocardial infarction ( heart attack ) was announced in BMJ and was debated in 2006 in the medical journal of the American Heart Association. To date, there is no consensus on whether ARBs have a tendency to increase MI, but there is also no substantive evidence to indicate that ARBs are able to reduce MI. In the VALUE trial, the angiotensin II receptor blocker valsartan produced a statistically significant 19 % ( p = 0.02 ) relative increase in the prespecified secondary end point of myocardial infarction ( fatal and non-fatal ) compared with amlodipine. The CHARM - alternative trial showed a significant + 52 % ( p = 0.025 ) increase in myocardial infarction with candesartan ( versus placebo ) despite a reduction in blood pressure. Indeed, as a consequence of AT1 blockade, ARBs increase Angiotensin II levels several-fold above baseline by uncoupling a negative - feedback loop. Increased levels of circulating Angiotensin II result in unopposed stimulation of the AT2 receptors, which are, in addition upregulated. Unfortunately, recent data suggest that AT2 receptor stimulation may be less beneficial than previously proposed and may even be harmful under certain circumstances through mediation of growth promotion, fibrosis, and hypertrophy, as well as proatherogenic and proinflammatory effects. Adrenergic receptor antagonists Propranolol, the first beta - blocker to be successfully developed Beta blockers atenolol bisoprolol betaxolol carteolol carvedilol labetalol metoprolol nadolol nebivolol oxprenolol penbutolol 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 a positive benefit on endpoints as some other antihypertensives. In particular, beta - blockers are no longer recommended as first - line treatment due to relative adverse risk of stroke and new - onset of type 2 diabetes when compared to other medications, while certain specific beta - blockers such as atenolol appear to be less useful in overall treatment of hypertension than several other agents. A systematic review of 63 trials with over 35,000 participants indicated β - blockers increased the risk of mortality, compared to other antihypertensive therapies. They do, however, have an important role in the prevention of heart attacks in people who have already had a heart attack. In the United Kingdom, the June 2006 `` Hypertension : Management of Hypertension in Adults in Primary Care '' 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. 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. However, they may be useful for some men with symptoms of prostate disease. Vasodilators Vasodilators act directly on the smooth muscle of arteries to relax their walls so blood can move more easily through them ; they are only used in hypertensive emergencies or when other drugs have failed, and even so are rarely given alone. Sodium nitroprusside, a very potent, short - acting vasodilator, is most commonly used for the quick, temporary reduction of blood pressure in emergencies ( such as malignant hypertension or aortic dissection ). Hydralazine and its derivatives are also used in the treatment of severe hypertension, although they should be avoided in emergencies. They are no longer indicated as first - line therapy for high blood pressure due to side effects and safety concerns, but hydralazine remains a drug of choice in gestational hypertension. Renin inhibitors Renin comes one level higher than angiotensin converting enzyme ( ACE ) in the renin - angiotensin system. Inhibitors of renin can therefore effectively reduce hyptertension. Aliskiren ( developed by Novartis ) is a renin inhibitor which has been approved by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of hypertension. Aldosterone receptor antagonists Aldosterone receptor antagonists : eplerenone spironolactone Aldosterone receptor antagonists are not recommended as first - line agents for blood pressure, but spironolactone and eplerenone are both used in the treatment of heart failure and resistant hypertension. Alpha - 2 adrenergic receptor agonists Central alpha agonists lower blood pressure by stimulating alpha - receptors in the brain which open peripheral arteries easing blood flow. These alpha 2 receptors are known as autoreceptors which provide a negative feedback in neurotransmission ( in this case, the vasoconstriction effects of adrenaline ). 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. clonidine guanabenz guanfacine methyldopa moxonidine Adverse effects of this class of drugs include sedation, drying of the nasal mucosa and rebound hypertension. Some indirect anti-adrenergics are rarely used in treatment - resistant hypertension : guanethidine - replaces norepinephrine in vesicles, decreasing its tonic release mecamylamine - antinicotinic and ganglion blocker reserpine - indirect via irreversible VMAT inhibition For the most resistant and severe disease, oral minoxidil ( Loniten ) in combination with diuretic and β - blocker or other sympathetic nervous system suppressant may be used. Endothelin receptor blockers Bosentan belongs to a new class of drug and works by blocking the receptors of the hormone endothelin. It is specifically indicated only for the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. Choice of initial medication For mild blood pressure elevation, consensus guidelines call for medically supervised lifestyle changes and observation before recommending initiation of drug therapy. However, according to the American Hypertension Association, evidence of sustained damage to the body may be present even prior to observed elevation of blood pressure. Therefore, the use of hypertensive medications may be started in individuals with apparent normal blood pressures but who show evidence of hypertension - related nephropathy, proteinuria, atherosclerotic vascular disease, as well as other evidence of hypertension - related organ damage. If lifestyle changes are ineffective, then drug therapy is initiated, often requiring more than one agent to effectively lower hypertension. Which type of many medications should be used initially for hypertension has been the subject of several large studies and various national guidelines. Considerations include factors such as age, race, and other medical conditions. In the United States, JNC8 ( 2014 ) recommends any drug from one of the four following classes to be a good choice as either initial therapy or as an add - on treatment : thiazide - type diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or angiotensin II receptor antagonists. The largest study, Antihypertensive and Lipid - Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial ( ALLHAT ) in 2002, concluded that thiazide - type diuretics are better and cheaper than other major classes of drugs at preventing cardiovascular disease, and should be preferred as the starting drug. ALLHAT used the thiazide diuretic chlorthalidone. ( ALLHAT showed that doxazosin, an alpha - adrenergic receptor blocker, had a higher incidence of heart failure events, and the doxazosin arm of the study was stopped. ) A subsequent smaller study ( ANBP2 ) did not show the slight advantages in thiazide diuretic outcomes observed in the ALLHAT study, and actually showed slightly better outcomes for ACE - inhibitors in older white male patients. Thiazide diuretics are effective, recommended as the best first - line drug for hypertension by many experts, and are much more affordable than other therapies, yet they are not prescribed as often as some newer drugs. Hydrochlorothiazide is perhaps the safest and most inexpensive agent commonly used in this class and is very frequently combined with other agents in a single pill. Doses in excess of 25 milligrams per day of this agent incur an unacceptable risk of low potassium or Hypokalemia. Patients with an exaggerated hypokalemic response to a low dose of a thiazide diuretic should be suspected to have Hyperaldosteronism, a common cause of secondary hypertension. Other drugs have a role in treating hypertension. Adverse effects of thiazide diuretics include hypercholesterolemia, and impaired glucose tolerance with increased risk of developing Diabetes mellitus type 2. The thiazide diuretics also deplete circulating potassium unless combined with a potassium - sparing diuretic or supplemental potassium. Some authors have challenged thiazides as first line treatment. However, as the Merck Manual of Geriatrics notes, `` thiazide - type diuretics are especially safe and effective in the elderly. '' Current UK guidelines suggest starting patients over the age of 55 years and all those of African / Afrocaribbean ethnicity firstly on calcium channel blockers or thiazide diuretics, whilst younger patients of other ethnic groups should be started on ACE - inhibitors. Subsequently, if dual therapy is required to use ACE - inhibitor in combination with either a calcium channel blocker or a ( thiazide ) diuretic. Triple therapy is then of all three groups and should the need arise then to add in a fourth agent, to consider either a further diuretic ( e.g. spironolactone or furosemide ), an alpha - blocker or a beta - blocker. Prior to the demotion of beta - blockers as first line agents, the UK sequence of combination therapy used the first letter of the drug classes and was known as the `` ABCD rule ''. Patient factors 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. Most drugs have other uses ; sometimes the presence of other symptoms can warrant the use of one particular antihypertensive. Examples include : Age can affect the choice of medications. Current UK guidelines suggest starting patients over the age of 55 years first on calcium channel blockers or thiazide diuretics. Anxiety may be improved with the use of beta blockers. Asthmatics have been reported to have worsening symptoms when using beta blockers. Benign prostatic hyperplasia may be improved with the use of an alpha blocker. Chronic kidney disease. ACE inhibitors or ARBs should be included in the treatment plan to improve kidney outcomes regardless of race or diabetic status. Diabetes mellitus. The ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers have been shown to prevent the kidney and retinal complications of diabetes mellitus. Gout may be worsened by thiazide diuretics, while losartan reduces serum urate. Kidney stones may be improved with the use of thiazide - type diuretics Heart block. β - blockers and nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers should not be used in patients with heart block greater than first degree. JNC8 does not recommend β - blockers as initial therapy for hypertension Heart failure may be worsened with nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, the alpha blocker doxazosin, and the alpha - 2 agonists moxonidine and clonidine. Whereas β - blockers, diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldosterone receptor antagonists have been shown to improve outcome. Pregnancy. Although α - methyldopa is generally regarded as a first - line agent, labetalol and metoprolol are also acceptable. Atenolol has been associated with intrauterine growth retardation, as well as decreased placental growth and weight when prescribed during pregnancy. ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers ( ARBs ) are contraindicated in women who are or who intend to become pregnant. Race. JNC8 guidelines particularly point out that when used as monotherapy, thiazide diuretics, and calcium channel blockers have been found to be more effective in reducing blood pressure in black hypertensives than β - blockers, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs. Tremor may warrant the use of beta blockers. The JNC8 guidelines indicate reasons to choose one drug over the others for certain individual patients. Research Blood pressure vaccines Vaccinations are being trialed and may become a treatment option for high blood pressure in the future. CYT006 - AngQb was only moderately successful in studies, but similar vaccines are being investigated. References Jump up ^ Antihypertensive Agents at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings ( MeSH ) Jump up ^ Law M, Wald N, Morris J ( 2003 ). `` Lowering blood pressure to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke : a new preventive strategy '' ( PDF ). Health Technol Assess. 7 ( 31 ) : 1 -- 94. doi : 10.3310 / hta7310. PMID 14604498. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 2011 - 03 - 04. ^ Jump up to : Nelson, Mark. `` Drug treatment of elevated blood pressure ''. Australian Prescriber ( 33 ) : 108 -- 112. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved August 11, 2010. Jump up ^ 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. Jump up ^ Wright JM, Musini VM ( July 2009 ). Wright JM, ed. `` First - line drugs for hypertension ''. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 8 ( 3 ) : CD001841. doi : 10.1002 / 14651858. CD001841. pub2. PMID 19588327. Jump up ^ http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG034NICEguideline.pdf, p19 ^ Jump up to : James, Paul A. ; Oparil, Suzanne ; Carter, Barry L. ; Cushman, William C. ; Dennison - Himmelfarb, Cheryl ; Handler, Joel ; Lackland, Daniel T. ; LeFevre, Michael L. ; MacKenzie, Thomas D. ; Ogedegbe, Olugbenga ; Smith, Sidney C. ; Svetkey, Laura P. ; Taler, Sandra J. ; Townsend, Raymond R. ; Wright, Jackson T. ; Narva, Andrew S. ; Ortiz, Eduardo ( 18 December 2013 ). `` 2014 Evidence - Based Guideline for the Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults ''. JAMA. 311 ( 5 ) : 507 -- 20. doi : 10.1001 / jama. 2013.284427. PMID 24352797. Jump up ^ Zillich AJ ; Garg J ; Basu S ; et al. ( August 2006 ). `` Thiazide diretics, potassium and the development of diabetes : a quantitative review ''. Hypertension. 48 ( 2 ) : 219 -- 224. doi : 10.1161 / 01. HYP. 0000231552.10054. aa. PMID 16801488. Jump up ^ Wang TJ, Ausiello JC, Stafford RS ( 20 April 1999 ). `` Trends in Antihypertensive Drug Advertising, 1985 -- 1996 ''. Circulation. 99 ( 15 ) : 2055 -- 2057. doi : 10.1161 / 01. CIR. 99.15. 2055. PMID 10209012. ^ Jump up to : Wu, H. - Y. ; Huang, J. - W. ; Lin, H. - J. ; Liao, W. - C. ; Peng, Y. - S. ; Hung, K. - Y. ; Wu, K. - D. ; Tu, Y. - K. ; Chien, K. - L. ( 24 October 2013 ). `` Comparative effectiveness of renin - angiotensin system blockers and other antihypertensive drugs in patients with diabetes : systematic review and Bayesian network meta - analysis ''. BMJ. 347 : f6008. doi : 10.1136 / bmj. f6008. PMC 3807847. PMID 24157497. ^ Jump up to : Wright, Jr, Jackson T. ( 2002 ). `` Effect of Blood Pressure Lowering and Antihypertensive Drug Class on Progression of Hypertensive Kidney Disease : Results From the AASK Trial ''. JAMA. 288 ( 19 ) : 2421. doi : 10.1001 / jama. 288.19. 2421. ISSN 0098 - 7484. ^ Jump up to : ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group ( December 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. doi : 10.1001 / jama. 288.23. 2981. PMID 12479763. CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter ( link ) Jump up ^ Leenen, F.H.H. ; Nwachuku, C.E. ; Black, H.R. ; Cushman, W.C. ; Davis, B.R. ; Simpson, L.M. ; Alderman, M.H. ; Atlas, S.A. ; Basile, J.N. ; Cuyjet, A.B. ; Dart, R. ; Felicetta, J.V. ; Grimm, R.H. ; Haywood, L.J. ; Jafri, S.Z.A. ; Proschan, M.A. ; Thadani, U. ; Whelton, P.K. ; Wright, J.T. ( 2006 ). `` Clinical Events in High - Risk Hypertensive Patients Randomly Assigned to Calcium Channel Blocker Versus Angiotensin - Converting Enzyme Inhibitor in the Antihypertensive and Lipid - Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial ''. Hypertension. 48 ( 3 ) : 374 -- 384. doi : 10.1161 / 01.HYP.0000231662.77359.de. ISSN 0194 - 911X. PMID 16864749. Jump up ^ `` High blood pressure ( hypertension ) - Uses for ACE inhibitors ''. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2016 - 07 - 27. Page updated : June 29, 2016 Jump up ^ Verma S, Strauss M ( November 2004 ). `` Angiotensin receptor blockers and myocardial infarction : These drugs may increase myocardial infarction -- and patients may need to be told ''. BMJ. 329 ( 7477 ) : 1248 -- 9. doi : 10.1136 / bmj. 329.7477. 1248. PMC 534428. PMID 15564232. Jump up ^ Strauss MH, Hall AS ( August 2006 ). `` Angiotensin receptor blockers may increase risk of myocardial infarction : unraveling the ARB - MI paradox ''. Circulation. 114 ( 8 ) : 838 -- 54. doi : 10.1161 / CIRCULATIONAHA. 105.594986. PMID 16923768. Jump up ^ Tsuyuki RT, McDonald MA ( August 2006 ). `` Angiotensin receptor blockers do not increase risk of myocardial infarction ''. Circulation. 114 ( 8 ) : 855 -- 60. doi : 10.1161 / CIRCULATIONAHA. 105.594978. PMID 16923769. Jump up ^ Julius S, Kjeldsen SE, Weber M, et al. ( June 2004 ). `` Outcomes in hypertensive patients at high cardiovascular risk treated with regimens based on valsartan or amlodipine : the VALUE randomised trial ''. The Lancet. 363 ( 9426 ) : 2022 -- 31. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 04 ) 16451 - 9. PMID 15207952. Jump up ^ Granger CB, McMurray JJ, Yusuf S, et al. ( September 2003 ). `` Effects of candesartan in patients with chronic heart failure and reduced left - ventricular systolic function intolerant to angiotensin - converting - enzyme inhibitors : the CHARM - Alternative trial ''. The Lancet. 362 ( 9386 ) : 772 -- 6. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 03 ) 14284 - 5. PMID 13678870. Jump up ^ Levy BI ( September 2005 ). `` How to explain the differences between renin angiotensin system modulators ''. Am. J. Hypertens. 18 ( 9 Pt 2 ) : 134S -- 141S. doi : 10.1016 / j. amjhyper. 2005.05. 005. PMID 16125050. Jump up ^ Levy BI ( January 2004 ). `` Can angiotensin II type 2 receptors have deleterious effects in cardiovascular disease ? Implications for therapeutic blockade of the renin - angiotensin system ''. Circulation. 109 ( 1 ) : 8 -- 13. doi : 10.1161 / 01. CIR. 0000096609.73772. C5. PMID 14707017. Jump up ^ Reudelhuber TL ( December 2005 ). `` The continuing saga of the AT2 receptor : a case of the good, the bad, and the innocuous ''. Hypertension. 46 ( 6 ) : 1261 -- 2. doi : 10.1161 / 01. HYP. 0000193498.07087. 83. PMID 16286568. Jump up ^ Lindholm LH, Carlberg B, Samuelsson O ( 29 Oct -- 4 Nov 2005 ). `` Should beta blockers remain first choice in the treatment of primary hypertension ? A meta - analysis ''. Lancet. 366 ( 9496 ) : 1545 -- 53. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 05 ) 67573 - 3. PMID 16257341. Jump up ^ Carlberg B, Samuelsson O, Lindholm LH ( 6 -- 12 Nov 2004 ). `` Atenolol in hypertension : is it a wise choice ? ''. Lancet. 364 ( 9446 ) : 1684 -- 9. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 04 ) 17355 - 8. PMID 15530629. Jump up ^ Freemantle N ; Cleland J ; Young P ; et al. ( June 26, 1999 ). `` β Blockade after myocardial infarction : systematic review and meta regression analysis ''. BMJ. 318 ( 7200 ) : 1730 -- 7. doi : 10.1136 / bmj. 318.7200. 1730. PMC 31101. PMID 10381708. Jump up ^ `` Hypertension : management of hypertension in adults in primary care ''. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 2007 - 02 - 16. Retrieved 2006 - 09 - 30. Jump up ^ Sheetal Ladva ( 2006 - 06 - 28 ). `` NICE and BHS launch updated hypertension guideline ''. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Archived from the original on 2007 - 09 - 29. Retrieved 2006 - 09 - 30. Jump up ^ ALLHAT Officers and Coordinators for the ALLHAT Collaborative Research Group ( September 2003 ). `` Diuretic Versus alpha - Blocker as First - Step Antihypertensive Therapy ''. Hypertension. 42 ( 3 ) : 239 -- 46. doi : 10.1161 / 01. HYP. 0000086521.95630. 5A. PMID 12925554. ^ Jump up to : Brunton L, Parker K, Blumenthal D, Buxton I ( 2007 ). `` Therapy of hypertension ''. Goodman & Gilman 's Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. New York : McGraw - Hill. pp. 544 -- 60. ISBN 978 - 0 - 07 - 144343 - 2. ^ Jump up to : Varon, J. ; Marik, P.E. ( Jul 2000 ). `` The diagnosis and management of hypertensive crises '' ( Free full text ). Chest. 118 ( 1 ) : 214 -- 227. doi : 10.1378 / chest. 118.1. 214. ISSN 0012 - 3692. PMID 10893382. Jump up ^ Mehta, Akul ( January 1, 2011 ). `` Direct Renin Inhibitors as Antihypertensive Drugs ''. Retrieved 6 February 2014. ^ Jump up to : 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 ( 19 ) : 2560 -- 72. doi : 10.1001 / jama. 289.19. 2560. PMID 12748199. Jump up ^ Wing LM ; Reid CM ; Ryan P ; et al. ( February 13, 2003 ). `` A comparison of outcomes with angiotensin - converting -- enzyme inhibitors and diuretics for hypertension in the elderly ''. NEJM. 348 ( 7 ) : 583 -- 92. doi : 10.1056 / NEJMoa021716. PMID 12584366. Jump up ^ Lewis PJ, Kohner EM, Petrie A, Dollery CT ( 1976 ). `` Deterioration of glucose tolerance in hypertensive patients on prolonged diuretic treatment ''. Lancet. 307 ( 7959 ) : 564 -- 566. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 76 ) 90359 - 7. PMID 55840. Jump up ^ Murphy MB, Lewis PJ, Kohner E, Schumer B, Dollery CT ( 1982 ). `` Glucose intolerance in hypertensive patients treated with diuretics ; a fourteen - year follow - up ''. Lancet. 320 ( 8311 ) : 1293 -- 1295. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 82 ) 91506 - 9. PMID 6128594. Jump up ^ Messerli FH, Williams B, Ritz E ( 2007 ). `` Essential hypertension ''. Lancet. 370 ( 9587 ) : 591 -- 603. doi : 10.1016 / S0140 - 6736 ( 07 ) 61299 - 9. PMID 17707755. Jump up ^ `` Section 11. Cardiovascular Disorders -- Chapter 85. Hypertension ''. Merck Manual of Geriatrics. July 2005. ^ Jump up to : `` CG34 Hypertension -- quick reference guide '' ( PDF ). National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. 28 June 2006. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 13 March 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 04. Jump up ^ Williams B ( November 2003 ). `` Treatment of hypertension in the UK : simple as ABCD ? ''. JR Soc Med. 96 ( 11 ) : 521 -- 2. doi : 10.1258 / jrsm. 96.11. 521. PMC 539621. PMID 14594956. Jump up ^ Würzner G, `` Comparative effects of losartan and irbesartan on serum uric acid in hypertensive patients with hyperuricaemia and gout. '' J Hypertens. 2001 ; 19 ( 10 ) 1855. Jump up ^ Worcester EM, Coe FL : Clinical practice. Calcium kidney stones '' N Engl J Med 2010 ; 363 ( 10 ) 954 - 963. http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcp1001011 Jump up ^ Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, et al : The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure - The JNC 7 Report. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ( NHLBI ), 2003. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/hypertension/jnc7full.pdf Jump up ^ Rosendorff C, Black HR, Cannon CP, et al. ( 2007 ). `` Treatment of hypertension in the prevention and management of ischemic heart disease : A scientific statement From the American Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research and the Councils on Clinical Cardiology and Epidemiology and Prevention ''. Circulation. 115 ( 21 ) : 2761 -- 2788. doi : 10.1161 / circulationaha. 107.183885. PMID 17502569. Jump up ^ Brown, MJ ( 2009 ). `` Success and failure of vaccines against renin - angiotensin system components ''. Nature Reviews Cardiology. 6 ( 10 ) : 639 -- 47. doi : 10.1038 / nrcardio. 2009.156. PMID 19707182. Pharmacology : major drug groups Gastrointestinal tract / metabolism ( A ) stomach acid Antacids H antagonists Proton pump inhibitors Antiemetics Laxatives Antidiarrhoeals / Antipropulsives Anti-obesity drugs Anti-diabetics Vitamins Dietary minerals Blood and blood forming organs ( B ) Antithrombotics Antiplatelets Anticoagulants Thrombolytics / fibrinolytics Antihemorrhagics Platelets Coagulants Antifibrinolytics Cardiovascular system ( C ) cardiac therapy / antianginals Cardiac glycosides Antiarrhythmics Cardiac stimulants Antihypertensives Diuretics Vasodilators Beta blockers Calcium channel blockers renin - angiotensin system ACE inhibitors Angiotensin II receptor antagonists Renin inhibitors Antihyperlipidemics Statins Fibrates Bile acid sequestrants Skin ( D ) Emollients Cicatrizants Antipruritics Antipsoriatics Medicated dressings Genitourinary system ( G ) Hormonal contraception Fertility agents SERMs Sex hormones Endocrine system ( H ) Hypothalamic - pituitary hormones Corticosteroids Glucocorticoids Mineralocorticoids Sex hormones Thyroid hormones / Antithyroid agents Infections and infestations ( J, P, QI ) Antimicrobials : Antibacterials ( Antimycobacterials ) Antifungals Antivirals Antiparasitics Antiprotozoals Anthelmintics Ectoparasiticides IVIG Vaccines Malignant disease ( L01 - L02 ) Anticancer agents Antimetabolites Alkylating Spindle poisons Antineoplastic Topoisomerase inhibitors Immune disease ( L03 - L04 ) Immunomodulators Immunostimulants Immunosuppressants Muscles, bones, and joints ( M ) Anabolic steroids Anti-inflammatories NSAIDs Antirheumatics Corticosteroids Muscle relaxants Bisphosphonates Brain and nervous system ( N ) Analgesics Anesthetics General Local Anorectics Anti-ADHD Agents Antiaddictives Anticonvulsants Antidementia Agents Antidepressants Antimigraine Agents Antiparkinson 's Agents Antipsychotics Anxiolytics Depressants Entactogens Entheogens Euphoriants Hallucinogens Psychedelics Dissociatives Deliriants Hypnotics / Sedatives Mood Stabilizers Neuroprotectives Nootropics Neurotoxins Orexigenics Serenics Stimulants Wakefulness - Promoting Agents Respiratory system ( R ) Decongestants Bronchodilators Cough medicines H antagonists Sensory organs ( S ) Ophthalmologicals Otologicals Other ATC ( V ) Antidotes Contrast media Radiopharmaceuticals Dressings Senotherapeutics Sympatholytic ( and closely related ) antihypertensives ( C02 ) Sympatholytics ( antagonize α - adrenergic vasoconstriction ) Central α agonist Clonidine Guanabenz Guanfacine Methyldopa Tiamenidine Adrenergic release inhibitors Bethanidine Bretylium Debrisoquine Guanadrel Guanazodine Guanethidine Guanoclor Guanazodine Guanoxabenz Guanoxan Imidazoline receptor agonist Moxonidine Rilmenidine Tolonidine Ganglion - blocking / nicotinic antagonist Hexamethonium Mecamylamine Pentolinium Trimethaphan Peripheral Indirect MAOI Pargyline Adrenergic uptake inhibitor Bietaserpine Deserpidine Methoserpidine Rescinnamine Reserpine Syrosingopine Tyrosine hydroxylase inhibitor Metirosine Direct α blockers Prazosin Indoramin Trimazosin Doxazosin Urapidil Non-selective α blocker Phentolamine Other antagonists Serotonin antagonist Ketanserin Lidanserin Endothelin antagonist ( for PH ) dual ( Bosentan, Macitentan ) selective ( Ambrisentan, Sitaxentan ) WHO - EM Withdrawn from market Clinical trials : Phase III Never to phase III Antihypertensives : diuretics ( C03 ) Sulfonamides ( and etacrynic acid ) CA inhibitors ( at PT ) Acetazolamide Loop ( Na - K - Cl at AL ) Furosemide Azosemide Bumetanide Etacrynic acid Etozolin Muzolimine Ozolinone Piretanide Tienilic acid Torasemide Thiazides ( Na - Cl at DCT, Calcium - sparing ) Altizide Bendroflumethiazide Chlorothiazide Cyclopenthiazide Cyclothiazide Epitizide Hydrochlorothiazide Hydroflumethiazide Mebutizide Methyclothiazide Polythiazide Trichlormethiazide Thiazide - likes ( primarily DCT ) Quinethazone Clopamide Chlortalidone Mefruside Clofenamide Metolazone Meticrane Xipamide Indapamide Clorexolone Fenquizone Potassium - sparing ( at CD ) ESC blockers Amiloride Triamterene Benzamil Aldosterone antagonists Spirolactones Spironolactone Eplerenone Potassium canrenoate Canrenone Nonsteroidal Finerenone Osmotic diuretics ( PT, DL ) Mannitol Glycerol Urea Vasopressin receptor inhibitors ( DCT and CD ) Vaptans Conivaptan Mozavaptan Satavaptan Tolvaptan Others Demeclocycline Lithium carbonate Other Ethanol, Isopropanol, 2M2B mercurial diuretics ( Chlormerodrin, Mersalyl, Meralluride ) Theobromine Cicletanine WHO - EM Withdrawn from market Clinical trials : Phase III Never to phase III Antihypertensives : agents acting on the renin -- angiotensin system ( C09 ) ACE inhibitors ( `` - pril '' ) Sulfhydryl - containing : Captopril Rentiapril Zofenopril Dicarboxylate - containing : Enalapril Benazepril Cilazapril Delapril Imidapril Lisinopril ( + HCT ) Moexipril Perindopril ( + indapamide ) Quinapril ( + HCT ) Ramipril Spirapril Temocapril Trandolapril Phosphonate - containing : Ceronapril Fosinopril ( + HCT ) Other / ungrouped : Alacepril AIIRAs ( `` - sartan '' ) Azilsartan Candesartan Eprosartan Fimasartan Irbesartan Losartan ( + HCT ) Olmesartan ( + amlodipine ) Tasosartan Telmisartan ( + HCT ) Valsartan ( + HCT, + amlodipine ) Renin inhibitors ( `` - kiren '' ) Aliskiren ( + amlodipine, + amlodipine and HCT ) Remikiren Dual ACE / NEP inhibitors Gemopatrilat Ilepatril Omapatrilat Sampatrilat Neprilysin inhibitors Sacubitril ( + valsartan ) WHO - EM Withdrawn from market Clinical trials : Phase III Never to phase III Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Antihypertensive_drug&oldid=811750988 '' Categories : Antihypertensive agents Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter All articles with vague or ambiguous time Vague or ambiguous time from November 2009 All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Deutsch Español فارسی Français Հայերեն Hrvatski Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Magyar Македонски Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk nynorsk Polski Português Română Slovenščina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi తెలుగు ไทย Türkçe Українська 吴语 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 23 November 2017, at 18 : 17. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: class of drugs administered to lower high blood pressure
Answer: Antihypertensives