Antihypertensive Medications

Balanced and Direct Vasodilators

100

This drug class inhibits the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. 

ACE inhibitor

200

This drug class includes common antihypertensive medications like losartan and valsartan. 

Angiotensin receptor blockers

300

This direct arterial vasodilator has a mechanism that is not fully understood. 

Hydralazine

400

Venodilators (vein dilators) function through the enzymatic or non-enzymatic release of this molecule. 

Nitric oxide (meds = nitroglycerin, nitroprusside)

500

Administration of hydralazine triggers this compensatory physiologic response, often requiring co-administration of a beta blocker.

Reflex tachycardia

Diuretics

100

Furosemide inhibits this specific transporter.

Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2)

200

Furosemide acts on this part of the nephron (segment and limb)

Thick ascending limb of the Loop of Henle

300

This class of diuretics block the Na⁺/Cl⁻ cotransporter (NCC) in the distal convoluted tubule. 

Thiazides

400

By blocking aldosterone, spironolactone reduces the expression of these channels in principal cells.

ENaC (Epithelial Sodium Channels)

500

This class of diuretics increase the expression of ENaC in the distal convoluted tubule.

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Sympatholytics

100

Metoprolol acts on this receptor(s).

Beta-1 adrenergic receptor (cardioselective)

200

This drug is useful in hypertensive emergencies due to its mixed blocking of alpha and beta receptors.

Carvedilol

300

This receptor subtype is blocked by prazosin.

Alpha-1 adrenergic receptors

400

This drug inhibits catecholamine release through stimulation of alpha-2 receptors.

Clonidine

500

A cardioselective beta blocker is preferred over a nonselective beta blocker in this patient population. 

Patients with lung disease or respiratory distress. 

Calcium Channel Blockers

100

Calcium channel blockers inhibit this type of voltage-gated channel in cardiac and smooth muscle.

L-type calcium channels

200

This class of calcium channel blockers reduces BOTH heart rate and blood pressure. 

Non-dihydropyradines 

300

Verapamil and diltiazem are categorized in this family of calcium channel blockers

Non-dihydropyradines

400

This suffix is used in the names of dihydropyradine calcium channel blockers. 

-dipine (nifedipine, nicardipine, amlodipine)

500

This non-dihydropyridine Ca2+ channel blocker is also used to treat arrhythmias due to its cardiac effects. 

Verapamil