title: Antihypertensive drugs: adverse reactions and metabolic effects in elderly patients.
abstract: Symptomatic and metabolic side effects seen in the treatment of elderly hypertensive patients are an area of concern for physicians. Of the four drug classes used as Step 1 antihypertensive agents--diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and calcium-entry blocking agents--only diuretics have been studied as monotherapy for the elderly in placebo-controlled, long-term clinical trials. These studies have shown diuretics to be well tolerated in this patient population, producing only mild, infrequent side effects.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Gifford
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics