Direct vasodilators
- Relax vascular smooth muscle directly
- Hydralazine/minoxidil are classic arterial drugs
- Nitroprusside dilates arteries + veins rapidly
- Reflex tachycardia/fluid retention can occur
- Often paired with beta blocker/diuretic
- Toxicities are drug-specific and sometimes severe
Class at a glance
- Relax vascular smooth muscle directly
Pharmacology
- Often paired with beta blocker/diuretic
Members / distinctions
- Hydralazine/minoxidil are classic arterial drugs
- Nitroprusside dilates arteries + veins rapidly
- Reflex tachycardia/fluid retention can occur
Practical pearls
- Toxicities are drug-specific and sometimes severe
Self-check
- Which direct vasodilator rapidly dilates arteries and veins?
Nitroprusside. - What compensatory effects can direct vasodilators cause?
Reflex tachycardia and fluid retention.
Drugs in this class (4)
Direct vasodilators prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Antihypertensives (1953–2026). Vasodilators highlighted from 1953.
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