children s health issues
Drug Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children
Adrenergic blockers
Adrenergic blockers include alpha-blockers, beta-blockers (atenolol), alpha-beta blockers (labetalol), alpha-agonists (clonidine), and peripherally acting adrenergic blockers. These drugs block the effects of the sympathetic division, the part of the autonomic nervous system that can rapidly respond to stress by increasing blood pressure. Beta-blockers are the most commonly used adrenergic blockers. Alpha-blockers are no longer used as the main treatment of high blood pressure. Alpha-agonists are more likely than other antihypertensive drugs to cause drowsiness, fatigue, and depression, so they are rarely used now.Clonidinecan be applied as a patch. 