OTHER HYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

Question 1

Example of Vasodilator antihypertensive drugs?

Answer 1

• Hydralazine hydrochloride (can be used with nitrates in heart failure)
• Sodium nitroprusside
• Minoxidil
• Alpha blockers (e.g. Prazosin, doxazosin and terazosin) have vasodilator properties

Question 2

Which Vasodilator antihypertensive drug causes tachycardia as a side effect?

Answer 2

Hydralazine and Minoxidil

Question 3

What are the side effects of Minoxidil?

Answer 3

1. Hair changes
   - Very common
   - Hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth anywhere on body) may be troublesome/unsuitable for some women
2. Increase cardiac output and tachycardia
3. Fluid retention and oedema

Question 4

What are the indications for Minoxidil?

Answer 4

1. severe hypertension resistant to other drugs (last resort - must be taken with bb and diuretic)
2. Androgenetic alopecia

Question 5

Vasodilators in combination with beta-blocker and thiazide, what is likely to happen?

Answer 5

Potent hypotensive effect

Question 6

Examples of centrally acting hypertensives

Answer 6

• Methyldopa (used in pregnancy)
• Clonidine hydrochloride
• Moxonidine

Question 7

Which centrally acting antihypertensive drug is contraindicated in depression?

Answer 7

Methyldopa

Question 8

What are the indications for Clonidine?

Question 9

Clonidine - indications

Answer 9

1. Hypertension
   - Not commonly prescribed
2. Prevention of recurrent migraine and vascular headache
3. Menopausal symptoms e.g. flushing