title: Current status of diuretics, beta-blockers, alpha-blockers, and alpha-beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension.
abstract: The article describes the current status of four main antihypertensives. Diuretics are making a bit of a comeback after seeing their popularity wane during the 1980s. beta-blockers also saw a bit of a popularity decrease in the 1980s due to some adverse side effects which the author feels were somewhat exaggerated. alpha-blockers have yet to be particularly successful in the treatment of hypertension, due to adverse side effects. alpha-beta-blockers appear to hold significant promise in the further treatment of hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Freis
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors