Hypertension in pregnancy - Antihypertensive therapy - part 1

Antihypertensive therapy:
Oral antihypertensive drugs: Centrally acting:
Eg.1. Alpha –methyldopa: Commenest first choice because of its long safety record.
Acts primarily on CNS, with some effect peripherally to stimulate alpha 2 receptors.
 Decreases the sympathetic tone & arterial blood pressure.
Dose-250to500mg orally 2-3 times/day.
Maximum daily dose 2gms.
 Maximum effect seen at 4to 6hrs , persists for 10 to 12 hrs.
Side effects: postural hypotension, lethargy, dry mouth, sedation, hemolytic anaemia, drug induced hepatitis.

2. Clonidine:
Centrally acting alpha agonist. Decrease maternal sympathetic tone & reduce systolic & diastolic blood pressure.
Dose: 0.1 to0.3mgs orally 2-3times/day.
Maximum dose 2.4mgs/day



-Hypertension in pregnancy-classification
-Hypertension in pregnancy-gestational hypertension
-Preeclampsia
-Eclampsia, preeclamsia superimposed on chronic hypertension
-Chronic hypertension
-Hypertension in pregnancy-etiology and pathogenesis
-Pathology
-Mild hypertension in pregnancy-prevention and management
-Severe hypertension in pregnancy-management
-Severe preeclampsia in pregnancy-management
-Complications of hypertension
-Antihypertensive therapy- centrally acting drugs
-Antihypertensive therapy-beta blockers, calcium channel blockers
-Antihypertensive therapy-alpha blockers, vasodilator, diuretics, ACE inhibitors
-Acute severe hypertension - treatment
-Eclampsia - signs and symptoms
-Eclampsia - management