Safety and Tolerability of Antihypertensive Agents in Long-term: A Literature Review.

Hypertension is known to affect more than one billion people globally and is estimated to increase to 1.5 billion by 2025. It is considered one of the leading causes of death and cardiovascular disease worldwide. The safety of long-term antihypertensive use is also a concern. Through a narrative or literature review, this study evaluated antihypertensive agents based on the results of various literature searches. Researchers reviewed the safety and tolerability of five classes of antihypertensive agents such as Diuretics, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI), Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB), Beta-Blockers, and Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB). The use of ARB antihypertensive drugs like valsartan is well tolerated and safe. Moreover, the mortality rate associated with enalapril was 16% lower (95% CI 0.76-0.93; P < 0.001). Captopril and lisinopril of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) have significant side effects (SEs) compared to any antihypertensive drug. Therefore, this study recommends using the ACEIs group, especially captopril and lisinopril, due to the minimal side effects produced compared to other antihypertensive drugs. In addition, the CCBs or Ca antagonists class like amlodipine is potentially well tolerated and safe as a first-line drug for hypertension treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]