Antihypertensives direct action vasodilators

The hemodynamic effects of diazoxide are similar to those of hydralazine and minoxidil. It produces direct relaxation of arteriolar smooth muscle with little effect on capacitance beds. Since it does not impair cardiovascular reflexes, orthostasis is not a problem. Its administration is, however, associated with a reflex increase in cardiac output that partially counters its antihypertensive effects. Propranolol and other -blockers potentiate the vasodilating properties of the drug. Diazoxide has no direct action on the heart. Although renal blood flow and glomerular filtration may fall transiently, they generally return to predrug levels within an hour. 

It is a potent antihypertensive agent which exerts its action mainly by causing direct peripheral vasodilation. It has been observed that its effect on diastolic pressure is more marked and pronounced than on systolic pressure. It is employed in the treatment of essential and early malignant hypertension usually in conjunction with thiazide diuretics or rauwolfia alkaloids. 

Intake of a large amount of sodium chloride negates the antihypertensive effects of diuretics. Other mechanisms, such as direct vasodilating action, decreased responsiveness to vasopressor agents, stimulation of prostacyclin [35121 -78-9] production, and reduction in the intracellular calcium... 

Despite their successful use for at least 20 years, the mechanisms by which they lower the blood pressure remain uncertain. Theories to explain the antihypertensive effectiveness of the diuretic agents have included a) alteration of sodium and water content on arterial smooth muscle, b) the induction of a decreased vascular response to catecholamines, c) a decrease in blood volume and total extracellular fluid volume, and d) a direct vasodilator action independent from the diuretic effect(12). 

Minoxidil is a peripheral vasodilator that directly relaxes vascular smooth musculature, thus, lowering systolic and diastolic pressure. Its action is linked to the activation of calcium channels. Open calcium channels cause hyperpolarization of smooth muscle cells, which in turn, reduces the flow of calcium ions into the cell, which is necessary for supporting vascular tonicity. However, when taking minoxidil, tachycardia, elevated renin secretion, and water and sodium ion retention all appear simultaneously with hypotension. Because of potentially serious side effects, it is used only for severe hypertension that does not respond to treatment with other drugs, and absolutely in combination with two other antihypertensive drugs. A synonym of this drug is loniten. 

Mechanism of Action An antihypertensive with direct vasodilating effects on arterioles. Therapeutic Effect Decreases BP and systemic resistance. 

Antihypertensive Vasodilators - A common characteristic of hypertensive patients, regardless of the etiology of their disease, is abnormally high peripheral vascular resistance. Drugs that act directly on peripheral vasculature to decrease resistance are, therefore, logical agents for the treatment of hypertension. Unfortunately, sympathetic reflex actions leading to cardiac stimulation, hyperreninemia and fluid retention limit the hypotensive action of vasodilators and they are used mainly in combination with 6-blockers and diuretics for the treatment of more severe hypertension. A vasodilator that may not cause undesirable reflex... 

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