Type 2 Diabetes Adult Outpatient Insulin Guidelines - CMA Foundation

Pharmacotherapy for Hypertension 23
Today there are number of commonly used antihypertensive medications in different drug classes.
Many patients with hypertension may require two or more antihypertensive medications from
different drug classes and in combination to reach goal.
Thiazide diuretics are considered the initial therapy for hypertension in most patients and can be
useful in helping to achieve control of elevated blood pressure levels. Thiazide may be used as a
stand-alone agent or in combination with other drug classes
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
are also considered ideal medications for the treatment of patients with diabetes and hypertension.
Both ACE and ARBs inhibitors provide positive effects on renal function and may result in improved
insulin sensitivity. 30
A patient receiving drug therapy for hypertension should receive regular and routine follow-up to
adjustment medications as necessary to reach target blood pressure measurements and prevent
cardiovascular complications. Patients with related co-morbidities including heart failure and
diabetes may require more frequent office visits and lab testing to reach goal.
The following tables list commonly used antihypertension medications. There are currently six
commonly used classes of medications used to treat hypertension:
• ACE Inhibitors
• ARBs (angiotensin II receptor antagonists)
• Calcium channel blockers
• Thiazide diuretics
• Beta blockers
• Alpha blockers or alpha-adrenergic blockers
38 CMA FoundAtion . diAbetes And CArdiovAsCulAr diseAse Provider reFerenCe guide . july 2011