Antihypertensives 🧯
Reference guide for antihypertensive medications. Drug table, dosing, indications, and prescribing for blood pressure management.
💡 Overview
- Antihypertensives are medications used to lower blood pressure and reduce cardiovascular risk.
- Classes include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics.
- Choice depends on comorbidities, side-effect profile, and patient-specific factors.
📋 Common Considerations
- Monitor renal function and electrolytes, especially with ACEi/ARBs and diuretics.
- Be aware of postural hypotension in elderly patients.
- Titrate doses carefully and assess for side effects like cough (ACEi), bradycardia (beta-blockers), or edema (CCBs).
Antihypertensive Medications
Reference table for hypertension management
| Drug | Dose | Frequency | Class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACE Inhibitors | ||||
| Ramipril (Tritace) | 1.25–10mg | OD | ACEi | Monitor renal function & K+ |
| Lisinopril (Zestan) | 2.5–40mg | OD | ACEi | Dry cough common |
| Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) | ||||
| Losartan (Cozaar) | 25–100mg | OD | ARB | Alternative to ACEi if cough |
| Candesartan (Amias) | 4–32mg | OD | ARB | Well tolerated |
| Olmesartan (Omesar) | 10–40mg | OD | ARB | Alternative to ACEi if cough |
| Calcium Channel Blockers | ||||
| Amlodipine (Istin) | 2.5–10mg | OD | Dihydropyridine CCB | May cause ankle swelling |
| Diltiazem MR (Adizem-XL) | 90–360mg | BD | Non-DHP CCB | Avoid in HF |
| Beta Blockers | ||||
| Bisoprolol (Cardicor) | 2.5–10mg | OD | Beta Blocker | Start low in HF |
| Atenolol (Atecor) | 25–100mg | OD | Beta Blocker | Renally excreted |
| Diuretics | ||||
| Indapamide (Natrilix SR) | 1.5mg | OD | Thiazide-like | Effective in elderly |
| Furosemide (Lasix) | 20–80mg | OD–BD | Loop diuretic | Mainly for fluid overload |
| Bumetanide (Burinex) | 0.5–2mg | OD–BD | Loop diuretic | Potent loop; ~40× furosemide per mg |
ACE Inhibitors
Ramipril (Tritace)
ACEiDose:1.25–10mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Monitor renal function & K+
Lisinopril (Zestan)
ACEiDose:2.5–40mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Dry cough common
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Losartan (Cozaar)
ARBDose:25–100mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Alternative to ACEi if cough
Candesartan (Amias)
ARBDose:4–32mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Well tolerated
Olmesartan (Omesar)
ARBDose:10–40mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Alternative to ACEi if cough
Calcium Channel Blockers
Amlodipine (Istin)
Dihydropyridine CCBDose:2.5–10mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: May cause ankle swelling
Diltiazem MR (Adizem-XL)
Non-DHP CCBDose:90–360mg
Frequency:BD
Notes: Avoid in HF
Beta Blockers
Bisoprolol (Cardicor)
Beta BlockerDose:2.5–10mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Start low in HF
Atenolol (Atecor)
Beta BlockerDose:25–100mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Renally excreted
Diuretics
Indapamide (Natrilix SR)
Thiazide-likeDose:1.5mg
Frequency:OD
Notes: Effective in elderly
Furosemide (Lasix)
Loop diureticDose:20–80mg
Frequency:OD–BD
Notes: Mainly for fluid overload
Bumetanide (Burinex)
Loop diureticDose:0.5–2mg
Frequency:OD–BD
Notes: Potent loop; ~40× furosemide per mg
SmPCs (medicines.ie / HPRA)
Educational reference only. Medical disclaimer