Effects of antihypertensive drugs on lipid metabolism.
Despite the well-established correlation between coronary heart disease (CHD) and hypertension, conventional antihypertensive therapy with diuretics and beta-adrenergic blockers has failed to provide protection against CHD. A possible explanation for this failure is the unfavorable effect such drugs have on lipid metabolism. To compare the lipid profiles of commonly used antihypertensive drugs, a survey was made of selected studies from the literature. Diuretics and selective and nonselective beta-blockers were found to have adverse effects on blood lipids. Beta-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, labetalol, methyldopa, and calcium channel blockers are lipid neutral, whereas alpha-adrenergic blockers seemed to have a favorable effect on lipid metabolism. Controlled clinical trials with drugs that have no adverse effects on lipid metabolism are needed to establish the long-term clinical importance of such agents.
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008750:Methyldopa / Q000494:pharmacology
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D008055:Lipids; D008750:Methyldopa