Side-effects of antihypertensive drugs

Abstract

Each antihypertensive drug has different major side-effects. and practice guidelines describe the absolute and relative contraindications of antihypertensive drugs. Sometimes patients taking antihypertensive drugs complain of minor side- effects, resulting in the obstacle to the adequate control of blood pressure. and poor compliance. Although old drugs such as diuretics or beta-blockers have unavoidable. dose-related side-eflects，new drugs such as calcium antagonists，angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors，or angiotensin receptor blockers are relatively well-tolerated. Not only short-term side-effects ，but tong-term safety of antihypertensive drug must be considered in individual prescription. Low-dose combination therapy is a recommended strategy to minimize the side-effects of anti-hypertensive drugs. Short-term and long-term side-effects of diuretics ，beta-blockers ，calcium antagonists，angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ，and angiotensin receptor blockers with be reviewed.