Clinical Pharmacology of Antihypertensive Drugs

AbstractThis chapter describes the pharmacological classes of antihypertensive drugs regarding their mechanisms of action and side effects. The mechanism of action is analyzed through a pharmacological approach, including the molecular receptor targets, the various sites along the arterial system, and the extra-arterial sites of action. Side effects are described and explained through their pharmacological mechanisms. Although several antihypertensive drugs are available, new agents continue to be introduced, thus increasing the spectrum of drug therapy for hypertension. A new novel class of antihypertensive drugs targeting brain renin–angiotensin system is mentioned in this chapter.KeywordsHypertensionTreatmentAntihypertensive agentPharmacologyRenin–angiotensin system