The role of adrenergic drugs in antihypertensive therapy.
Abnormalities in the adrenergic system are believed by some to be a major contributing factor to primary hypertension, which may explain the increasing clinical usefulness of drugs that affect the adrenergic system. The clinical effects of drugs in this class can be predicted by the location of the alpha or beta receptors that are activated or inhibited by the drug. With the wide range of antihypertensive drugs now available, including diuretics and vasodilators as well as adrenergic agents, it is possible to individualize treatment in ways more appropriate than the traditional stepped-care approach.
Itskovitz
H D
HD
Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Hypertension, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595.
D000367:Age Factors; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013566:Sympathomimetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004232:Diuretics; D013566:Sympathomimetics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents