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Published on: June 10, 2015
Clinical experience with dual-acting drugs in hypertension
1Department of Medicine D, Universität Münster.
Insights
Dual-action antihypertensive agents like labetalol and carvedilol are effective for chronic hypertension and emergencies. Celiprolol
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Several antihypertensive medications with dual mechanisms of action are available.
- Labetalol is the most extensively studied dual-action agent, used for chronic hypertension and hypertensive emergencies.
- Carvedilol is effective for various forms of hypertension.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role and efficacy of dual-action antihypertensive agents.
- To highlight the established uses of labetalol and carvedilol.
- To discuss the receptor binding profile of celiprolol and its potential contribution to its antihypertensive effect.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on dual-action antihypertensive agents.
- Analysis of clinical studies on labetalol, carvedilol, and celiprolol.
- Examination of pharmacological properties, including receptor binding.
Main Results:
- Labetalol is a well-established treatment for chronic hypertension and hypertensive emergencies.
- Carvedilol demonstrates efficacy across different hypertensive conditions.
- Celiprolol exhibits binding to beta 1-, beta 2-, and alpha 2-receptors, though the clinical significance of alpha 2-receptor binding is not yet fully understood.
Conclusions:
- Dual-action antihypertensives, particularly labetalol and carvedilol, offer valuable therapeutic options.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise role of celiprolol's alpha 2-receptor binding in its antihypertensive action.
Abstract:
There are now several antihypertensive agents with dual actions. Among these, labetalol has been studied most extensively. The drug has a place in the chronic treatment of hypertension and in the therapy of hypertensive emergencies. Carvedilol, now available in Germany, has been shown to be effective in different forms of hypertension. Celiprolol binds to beta 1- and beta 2-receptors. This drug also binds to alpha 2-receptors. It is not clear, at present, whether or not this binding property contributes to its antihypertensive effect.
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