title: Alpha blockers and vasodilating beta blockers--influence on factors involved in the pathogenesis of vascular disease in patients with hypertension.
abstract: Antihypertensive drugs that interact with adrenoceptors have certain advantages and disadvantages (on the treatment of hypertension). Alpha-1 antagonists such as prazosin have favorable effects on plasma lipids but may produce excessive postural falls in blood pressure, particularly following the initial dose. Recently developed alpha-1 antagonists (doxazosin, terazosin) have longer durations of action than prazosin, allowing less frequent administration. Beta blockers may be cardioprotective but in contrast to alpha-1 antagonists tend to have adverse effects on plasma lipids. Drugs with combined beta and alpha-1 blocking activity such as labetalol have favorable metabolic effects but postural hypotension remains a problem. Recently developed drugs with different alpha-1/beta blocking ratios that differ from labetalol may prove to be more popular clinically. Several beta blockers with vasodilator activity which is not due to alpha-1 blockade have also been developed. These drugs appear to have favorable metabolic effects similar to drugs with alpha-1 blocking activity, but do not cause postural hypotension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Vic, Australia.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Louis
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Drummer
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Howes
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D008055:Lipids; D014665:Vasodilator Agents