Drugs In Hypertensive Crisis

Drugs In Hypertensive Crisis

Question 1. Discuss Drugs In Hypertensive Crisis.
Answer:

Hypertensive crisis is of two types, i.e., hypertensive urgency and hypertensive emergency.

Hypertensive Urgencies

This is due to:

• Severely elevated BP, i.e., (200/120)
• Absence of organ damage.

Drugs in Hypertensive Crisis: Emergency Treatment and Management

Hypertensive Crisis Treatment

There is a slow reduction of blood pressure over 12 hours with oral antihypertensives, e.g., labetalol, nifedipine, etc.

Hypertensive Emergencies

The hypertensive emergencies are due to:

• Severely elevated BP
• Ongoing organ damage.

Hypertensive Crisis. Treatment

Quick reduction of BP is by parenteral agents, i.e., IV sodium nitroprusside, labetalol, etc.

Question 2. Describe The Drugs Used In Hypertensive Emergencies.
Or
Describe The Drugs Used In The Treatment Of Hypertensive Emergencies.
Answer:

The following are the drugs that are used in the treatment of hypertensive emergencies:

Medications for Hypertensive Crisis: First-line and Second-line Drugs

• Sodium nitroprusside: It is the drug of choice for most hypertensive emergencies. It has instantaneous, titrable, and balanced arteriovenous vasodilatory action. It needs an infusion pump and constant monitoring.
• Glyceryl trinitrate: It is given through IV infusion, and it acts within 2 to 5 minutes. It has vasodilator action which makes it suitable for lowering blood pressure after cardiac surgery in acute left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction, and unstable angina.
• Esmolol: It is provided as a bolus, which is followed by a slow IV injection that produces its action in 1 to 2 minutes. Its action last for 10 to 20 min. It is useful in cardiac contractility and when cardiac work is to be reduced.
• Phentolamine: It is an α1 + α2 blocker. It is mostly used in hypertensive episodes in pheochromocytoma, cheese reaction, and clonidine withdrawal.