Hypertension Medication

Question 1

HTN med : Thiazide diuretics
Route: oral
Purpose: reduces fluid in the body making it easier for the heart to pump and lowering blood pressure.

Answer 1

Important points:
Can cause electrolyte imbalance especially potassium imbalance.
Monitor blood pressure and fluid intake urine output.
Administration in the morning reduces elimination needs during the night

Question 2

List of thiazide diuretics

For HTN

Answer 2

Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
Chlorthalidone
Hydrochlorothiazide(Microzide)

Question 3

HTN meds Potassium- sparing diuretics
Route: oral
Purpose:
Reduces fluid in the body making it easier for the heart to pump andlowering blood pressure

Answer 3

Most diuretics can cause potassium loss . potassium sparing diuretics may be ordered if potassium loss is a problem

Question 4

List of Potassium sparing diuretics

Answer 4

Eplerenone (Inspra)

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

Triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide ( triamtere HCTZ)

Question 5

HTN meds Calcium channel blockers

Route: oral/ intravenous formulations available only emergency

Purpose: relaxes the heart and blood vessels lowering blood pressure



Answer 5

Important notes:
Can cause swelling /flushing /headache rapid heart rate /heart palpitations and overgrowth of gum tissue around the teeth.

Monitor : blood pressure /heart rate /and swelling

Grapefruit juice interferes with many calcium channel blockers. Do not administer with grapefruit juice.

Question 6

List of Calcium channel blockers

Answer 6

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

Nifedipine ER (adalat CC)

Nicardipine (Cardene)



Question 7

Summary of what I learned so far..

Answer 7

HTN meds
Thiazide
Diuretics (water pills): makes you pee to lessen water in body , so your heart does not work so hard to pump
Caution : mineral imbalance . Potassium might be eliminated too much through urine.
Monitor : blood pressure and intake of fluid and urine output.
Better to be given in the morning so that you don’t have to get up from sleep too pee too much.
The list of thiazide diuretics are: chlorothiazide ( diuril )/ chlorthalidone/ hydrochlorothiazide (microzide).
If using this does result in potassium imbalance , then potassium- sparing diuretics may be used instead these are Eplerenone (inspra)/ spironolactone(aldactone) / triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide aka triamtere HCTZ.
Another way to reduce blood pressure is to relax the heart and blood vessels by taking calcium Chanel blockers these are amlodipine( norvasc) nifedipine ( adalact cc) / nicardipine (cardene). Things to look out for this is given by mouth but can also be given through IV mostly when it is an emergency. Might make you swell /flushed/ rapid heart rate / palpitations/ they can also cause the gum tissue around teeth to be over grow .do not take it with grapefruit juice, they interfere with calcium Chanel blockers.

Question 8

HTN meds Ace inhibitors

Route
Action
Important notes

Answer 8

Oral
Blocks the formation of chemical that raises blood pressure .
Can cause high potassium levels ( may change the heart rhythm)
Can cause : dry cough / low blood pressure/ kidney injury .
**POTENTIALLy LIFE- threatening side effect ANGIOEDEMA swelling of tongue 👅 and lips👄**

Question 9

List of ace inhibitors

Answer 9

Benazepril (lotensin)
Captopril
Enalapril ( vasotec)
Lisinopril (prinivil)
Quinapril ( acupril)
Ramipril (Altace)

Question 10

Benazepril

Answer 10

Ace inhibitor

Lotensin

Question 11

Captopril

Answer 11

Ace inhibitor

Question 12

Enalapril

Answer 12

Ace inhibitor

Vasotec 

Question 13

Lisinopril

Answer 13

Ace inhibitor

Prinivil

Question 14

Quinapril

Answer 14

Ace inhibitor

Accupril

Question 15

Ramipril

Answer 15

Ace inhibitor

Altace

Question 16

Angiotensin receptor blockers
ARBs
Route
Action
Notes

Answer 16

Oral

Blocks the action of a chemical that raises blood pressure
Side effects similar to those of ace inhibitors but less likely to cough or Angioedema .

Question 17

List of angiotensin receptor blockers

Answer 17

Irbesartan
Losartan
Olmesartan
Valsartan 

Question 18

Irbesartan

Answer 18

ARBs

Avapro

Question 19

Losartan

Answer 19

ARBs

Cozaar

Question 20

Olmesartan

Answer 20

Benicar

ARBs

Question 21

Valsartan

Answer 21

ARBs

Diovan

Question 22

Beta blockers