There is no RCT evidence demonstrating that antihypertensive drugs reduce mortality or morbidity in patients with hypertensive emergencies .
Furthermore , there is insufficient RCT evidence to determine which drug or drug class is most effective in reducing mortality and morbidity .
There were some minor differences in the degree of blood pressure lowering when one class of antihypertensive drug is compared to another .
However , the clinical significance is unknown .
Hypertensive emergencies occur when high blood pressure is associated with the presence of acute end-organ damage , such as hypertensive encephalopathy .
There is controversy as to when and which antihypertensive drugs to use in these situations .
Sublingual nifedipine and captopril in hypertensive urgencies and emergencies.
Fifty two patients of severe hypertension , diastolic blood pressure > or = 115 mmHg , with or without acute complications , were treated with sublingual nifedipine 10 mg or sublingual captopril 25 mg in a r and omized prospect i ve in patient study with careful clinical monitoring . Both the drugs were safe and effective in rapidly lowering blood pressure .  Nifedipine appeared to be superior to captopril with earlier onset of action , greater magnitude of response and longer duration of action . No significant side effects were observed in either of the two groups
There is no RCT evidence demonstrating that antihypertensive drugs reduce mortality or morbidity in patients with hypertensive emergencies .
Furthermore , there is insufficient RCT evidence to determine which drug or drug class is most effective in reducing mortality and morbidity .
There were some minor differences in the degree of blood pressure lowering when one class of antihypertensive drug is compared to another .
However , the clinical significance is unknown .
Hypertensive emergencies occur when high blood pressure is associated with the presence of acute end-organ damage , such as hypertensive encephalopathy .
There is controversy as to when and which antihypertensive drugs to use in these situations .