Do we need another antihypertensive agent?
The factors to be considered in selecting antihypertensive agents have traditionally centered around balancing efficacy against adverse side effects. The former can be achieved by a variety of agents alone or in combination. The latter not only involves safety but is also concerned with whether an otherwise safe agent is tolerated by the patient so compliance with the treatment regimen can be achieved. A relatively new consideration is how antihypertensive agents affect other disease states that may or may not be associated with hypertension. For example, how a drug may affect diabetes, gout, myocardial hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, and coronary events must be evaluated. These concerns taken together answer the question of why yet another antihypertensive agent may be needed in the pharmacologic armamentarium.
Gorlin
R
R
Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY 10029.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics