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
Drugs in this class (4)
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