| > | | | | are all at we have. They increase the lifespan and |
| There were hardly any drugs for the treatment | | | | quality of life of patients of high blood |
| of this condition. It was only in the latter half of | | | | pressure.Since all of us fear high blood pressure, |
| the last century, that medical science made rapid | | | | let us first examine what blood pressure |
| advancements, and today drugs allow a | | | | (BP)actually is and why blood should need a |
| hypertensive patient to live a near normal life are | | | | pressure at all. Nimodipine (Nimodip 30 mg) It |
| available. The first real drug to treat hypertension | | | | increases brain blood flow, therefore, it is |
| was given to the rest of the world by India's | | | | commonly used in the treatment of stroke. |
| indigenous system of medicine, Ayurveda. The | | | | Nicardipine, nitrendipine, lercanidipine and lecidipine |
| roots of the plant 'sarpgandha' (rauwolfia | | | | are some other drugs. Advantages: All CCBs are |
| serpentina) formed a part of the repitoire used | | | | useful in angina, IHD and hypertension. Except |
| for treating various ailments. Indian researchers of | | | | diltiazem and verapamil all can be combined with |
| the system discovered the blood pressure | | | | beta-blockers (Atenolol commonly). They are also |
| lowering properties of these roots. Subsequently | | | | usefull in migraine and peripheral vascular disease. |
| in 1953, Swiss scientists isolated the pure chemical | | | | Kidney blood flow is well maintained and nifedipine |
| substance, and named it reserpine (SERPASIL), | | | | may increase urine output. The antihypertensive |
| which remained in the forefront for the treatment | | | | effect is not blunted by anti-intlamatory pain |
| of high blood pressure for almost two decades. | | | | relievers which is its unique feature.Adverse |
| Now, it has been replaced by more modern drugs | | | | effects and Precautions: As a group CCBs can |
| and is rarely used. In spite of these recent | | | | cause sensation of vomiting, constipation, swelling |
| advances, it is a pity that the treatment of | | | | over feet and hypotension. Verapamil and |
| hypertension remains palliative rather than | | | | diltiazem precipitate congestive heart failure and |
| curative. There is a difference between | | | | heart blocks. Verapamil and diltiazem are never |
| anti-hypertensives and other drugs like antibiotics. | | | | used with betablockers. They are not safe in |
| The latter drugs destroy micro-organisms and | | | | pregnancy. These should be used with caution in |
| remove the cause of the infective state, enabling | | | | angina to avoid alarming rise in pulse rate. These |
| a complete cure; while the former, hardly ever | | | | drugs do not significantly alter blood lipids and may |
| cure the disease. They only lower the blood | | | | have some bronchodilatory effects, thus are very |
| pressure without removing the cause. | | | | useful in asthmatic hypertensives. In this aspect |
| Nevertheless, these drugs are important, as they | | | | they are better than nonselective beta-blockers. |