176 Section 4/ Drugs Acting on Cardiovascular & Urinary SystemTable 4.2.1: Classification of antihypertensive agents.
I. Centrally acting sympathetic inhibitors
Clonidine (ARKAMIN) 75-225 μg/day
Methyldopa (ALPHADOPA) 0.5-2 g/day
II. Adrenergic neurone blocking agents
Reserpine (ADELPHANE) 0.25-0.5 mg OD
Guanethidine (ISMELIN) 10-50 mg OD
III. Adrenergic receptor antagonists
i. Alpha blockers
Prazosin (PRAZOPRESS) 0.5 mg BD, maintained at 3-20 mg BD
Terazosin (OLYSTER) 2-10 mg/day
Doxazosin (DOXACARD) 2-8 mg/day
Phentolamine (FENTANOR) 2-5 mg IV
Phenoxybenzamine (FENOXENE) 20-60 mg/day oral, 1 mg/kg IV
ii. Beta blockers
Propranolol (CIPLAR) 10-80 mg TDS, 2-8 mg IV
Metoprolol (BETALOC) 100-450 mg/day
Atenolol (BETACARD) 50-100 mg/day
Sotalol (SOTAGARD) 80-480 mg/day
Pindolol (PINADOL) 10-30 mg/day
Celiprolol (CELIPRESS) 100-200 mg/BD-TDS
iii. Alpha & beta blockers
Carvedilol (CARDIVAS) 12.5-50 mg OD
Labetalol (NORMADATE) 100-200 mg TDS, 50 mg IV
IV. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Captopril (CAPOTRIL) 25-100 mg TDS
Enalapril (ENCARDIL) 10-20 mg OD-BD
Lisinopril (BIDPRIL) 5-20 mg/day
Ramipril (RAMIPRESS) 2.5-10 mg OD
Perindopril (PERIGARD) 4-8 mg OD
Benzapril (BENACE) 10-40 mg OD-BD
Also available omapatrilat, Quinapril, Trandolapril
V. Angiotensin II receptor (type AT 1 ) antagonist
Losartan potassium (LOSACAR) 25-100 mg OD
Irbesartan (IROVEL) 150-300 mg OD
VI. Calcium channel blockers
Verapamil (VASOPTEN) 40-160 mg TDS
Diltiazem (DILZEM) 30-60 mg TDS-QID
Nifedipine (CALCIGARD) 5-20 mg TDS, oral/SL
Amlodipine (AMLODAC) 5-10 mg OD
Also available Felodipine, Lacidipine, Benidipine, NiImodipine
VII.Direct vasodilators
Hydralazine (NEPRESOL) 2-50 mg BD
Sodium nitroprusside (NIPRESS) 0.1-0.3 mg/min IV infusion
Nicorandil (ZYMCOR) 5-20 mg BD
VIII.Diuretics
(For details see chapter ‘Diuretics’)