Antihypertensive Medication Chart

Vocabulary flashcards covering categories, mechanisms of action, side effects, and clinical monitoring parameters for antihypertensive medications.

Thiazide diuretics (chlorthalidone / HCTZ)

Diuretics that increase sodium and water excretion by inhibiting distal Na-Cl transport; notable adverse effects include hypotension, dehydration, low potassium, sodium, and magnesium, as well as elevated uric acid and glucose.

Loop diuretics (furosemide / bumetanide)

Diuretics that block the ascending Na-K-2Cl transport system to increase sodium and water excretion; indicated for volume overload, typically dosed in the morning, and associated with low potassium, sodium, and magnesium levels.

Spironolactone

A potassium-sparing diuretic that functions through aldosterone blockade to increase sodium and water excretion; carries risks of hyperkalemia and gynecomastia.

ACE inhibitors (lisinopril / enalapril)

Antihypertensive agents that block angiotensin-converting enzyme to reduce angiotensin II and aldosterone production, producing vasodilation and decreased sodium retention; key adverse effects include dry cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension, creatinine elevation, and angioedema.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers / ARBs (losartan)

Antihypertensive medications that selectively block angiotensin II AT1 receptors to produce vasodilation and decrease aldosterone effects; associated with hyperkalemia, hypotension, creatinine elevation, and significantly less cough than ACE inhibitors.

Amlodipine

A dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that prevents calcium influx into vascular smooth muscle to cause arterial vasodilation; does not slow heart rate like non-dihydropyridines (verapamil or diltiazem) and commonly causes peripheral edema, flushing, headache, dizziness, and hypotension.

Hydralazine

A vasodilator that induces direct arteriolar smooth-muscle relaxation to decrease peripheral vascular resistance; adverse effects include reflex tachycardia, headache, flushing, fluid retention, and drug-induced lupus with prolonged use.

Sodium nitroprusside

An emergency continuous intravenous infusion vasodilator that provides nitric oxide-mediated dilation of both arteries and veins to rapidly decrease preload and afterload; requires continuous blood pressure monitoring, light protection, and assessment for cyanide and thiocyanate toxicity.

Cyanide / thiocyanate toxicity

A serious adverse complication associated with continuous sodium nitroprusside infusion, wherein thiocyanate can accumulate especially in patients with kidney impairment; requires close monitoring of acid-base status and drug toxicity.