Overview of Antihypertensive Drugs

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Five Major Categories

Antihypertensive drugs can be classified according to their sites and mechanisms of action as follows:

1. Antihypertensive drugs that block the production and action of angiotensin

   1. Renin inhibitors: [[Aliskiren]]
   2. [[Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ACEI Various “pril”|ACEI]] and [[Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ARB Various “sartan”|ARB]]: such as captopril, losartan, etc.
   3. [[Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors ARNI|ARNI]]

2. Sympathetic nerve blockers

   1. Centrally acting antihypertensive drugs: such as clonidine, methyldopa, etc.
   2. Adrenergic receptor antagonists: such as [[β receptor blockers|β-B]] propranolol, [[α receptor blockers|α-B]] prazosin, [[α, β receptor blockers]] labetalol, etc. (see Chapter 28 Adrenergic and Anti-adrenergic Drugs);
   3. Drugs affecting sympathetic neurotransmitters: such as reserpine, etc.;
   4. Ganglionic blockers: such as mecamylamine, etc.

3. Drugs that directly dilate blood vessels

   1. Calcium channel blockers: such as nifedipine, etc.
   2. Peripheral vasodilators: such as hydralazine, etc.
   3. Potassium channel openers: such as pinacidil.

4. Diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide