Hypertension timed drug administration

Induction of ocular hypertension after corticosteroid administration depends on the specific drug, the dose, the route and frequency of administration, and the corticosteroid responsiveness of the patient. Generally, patients with elevated lOP are asymptomatic, so examination with applanation tonometry is the key to diagnosis. If the patient shows a steroid responsiveness, the onset of lOP elevations is not immediate but occurs after approximately 2 weeks of use. However, it can occur many weeks later, and this time to onset is generally longer for systemic steroids. In responsive patients the level of lOP rise with systemic steroids averages approximately 60% of that produced by topically applied steroids. 

The P-blockade is 4r-10 times greater than the a-blockade, varying with dose and route of administration. Labetalol is useful as a pcirenterally administered drug in the emergency reduction of blood pressure. Ordinary p-blockers may lower blood pressure too slowly, in part because reflex stimulation of imblocked a-receptors opposes the fall in blood pressLue. In most patients, even those with severe hypertension, a gradual reduction in blood... 

Orally administered steroids should only be administered for short periods of time since long-term therapy may lead to a variety of side effects, including suppression of adrenal function, hypertension, aggravation of diabetes, exaeerbation of infections, osteoporosis, cataract formation, and peptic ulcer formation. The availability of aerosol formulations of beclomethasone has fticilitated the long-term use of this type of therapeutic since this route of administration deposits the drug directly in the airways, where it can act therapeutically but is not absorbed into the systemic circulation. 

---