Newer antihypertensive drugs

We review three new classes of antihypertensive drugs: imidazolines, monatepil, and neutral endopeptidase inhibitors. Imidazolines are a new generation of central acting drugs. Because of their greater affinity for imidazoline receptors rather than alpha 2-adrenoreceptors, they cause less fatigue and dry mouth than the older central acting drugs. Monatepil is a single drug with both calcium antagonist and peripheral alpha 1-antagonist properties. This agent not only lowers blood pressure but also lowers serum cholesterol, an effect mediated by its alpha-antagonism, and has anti-lipid peroxidation properties. Monatepil might become an effective antiatherosclerosis drug. Neutral endopeptidase inhibitors lower blood pressure by inhibiting the metabolism of atrial natriuretic peptide and other vasoactive peptides.