Whats the difference between Beta Blockers and Clonidine in treating Hypertension?
Jay asked:
I know clonidine is a ?2 adrenergic agonist, but dont both lower hypertension and block epinephrine?
I was prescribed a beta blocker for hypertension, but I had asthma as a child and the medication brought back some symptoms as the doctor said it might.
Wouldn’t clonidine have a similar effect with out constricting the lungs?
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I know clonidine is a ?2 adrenergic agonist, but dont both lower hypertension and block epinephrine?
I was prescribed a beta blocker for hypertension, but I had asthma as a child and the medication brought back some symptoms as the doctor said it might.
Wouldn’t clonidine have a similar effect with out constricting the lungs?
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February 1st, 2011 at 6:08 pm
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Clonidine is not a beta blocker so it does not have pulmonary side effects.It is an alpha adrenergic agonist as you have already written. Beta blockers are beta adrenergic blockers. With your history of asthma clonidine will not cause pulmonary side effects.
February 5th, 2011 at 2:12 am
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Clonidine is an archaic drug with no appropriate usage today. It simply has too high an incidence of side effects. You are correct that it is a central alpha 2 agonist but so is guanfacine which is virtually devoid of side effects. Beta blockers do blunt adrenergic tone but they are not the drug of 1st choice for the treatment of hypertension. The progression is usually – being added in as needed – an angiotensin 1 converting enzyme inhibitor / hydrochlorothiazide / beta blocker / slow channel voltage dependent calcium entry blocker / peripheral post-synaptic alpha 1 receptor blocker. If I may be of further assistance please let me know. I wish you the very best of health and happiness and in all things may God bless. JR
February 7th, 2011 at 2:32 pm
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Here is an article that explains the various drugs given for hypertension(high blood pressure)