High Blood Pressure Drugs and Their Mode of Action. (Part 2).

Source

Here is the link to the part 1 of my post concerning hypertension drugs.

Continuation

6. Alpha-2 Receptor Agonists, also known as Central agonists.

This drugs are different from alpha-1 receptors. When activated, the production of norepinephrine,(a chemical substances involved in sympathetic/emergency response) is blocked. This blockage decreases the amount of norepinephrine produced, thus leading to less constriction of blood vessels, subsequently resulting in a lower blood pressure.

A good example of this drug is Methyldopa (Aldomet). It’s commonly used in treating high blood pressure during pregnancy because it generally poses few risks to the mother and fetus.
More Examples are:

• Guanabenz acetate (Wytensin).
• Guanfacine hydrochloride (Tenex).
• Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres).

They are called Central agonist because they actively functions in the brain as well as spinal cord.

7. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

This drugs help our body produce less of a hormone known as angiotensin II, the hormone that causes the blood vessels to get narrowed. The drugs function in decreasing blood pressure by helping blood vessels expand and let more blood through it.
Examples of these Drugs Include:

• Fosinopril sodium (Monopril).
• Benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin).
• Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).
• Captopril (Capoten).
• Enalapril maleate (Vasotec).

1. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs).

They function by blocking the action of angiotensin II directly on the blood vessels. The drugs attache at the receptor site on the blood vessels and keeps the vessels from narrowing, thereby decreasing the blood pressure.
Examples of these drugs Include:

• Telmisartan (Micardis).
• Candesartan (Atacand).
• Valsartan (Diovan).
• Eprosartan mesylate (Teveten).
• Irbesartan (Avapro).
• Losartan potassium (Cozaar).

9.Vasodilators
They help in relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, especially that of small arteries. Its actions help in widening the blood vessels, thus allowing blood to flow through them more easily. This then causes the blood pressure to fall.
Examples Include:

• Minoxidil (Loniten) .
• Hydralazine hydrochloride (Apresoline).

Thanks a lot for Reading