The first choice of antihypertensive drugs for pregnant women

The physique of pregnant women is quite special. Especially in the later stages of pregnancy, they are prone to unstable blood pressure and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is extremely detrimental to the healthy development of the fetus, so it is very important to control blood pressure during pregnancy. The more common method of lowering blood pressure during pregnancy is drug therapy. However, for special groups such as pregnant women, which brands of antihypertensive drugs are better for pregnant women? Let’s take a look together below.

1. There are more and more young patients with hypertension. Therefore, in obstetrics, the number of hypertensive patients preparing to become pregnant is also increasing. It should be noted that the use of antihypertensive drugs during pregnancy is rather special, and some antihypertensive drugs will have a certain impact on the fetus. For example, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) are antihypertensive drugs. Exposure of the fetus to ACEI drugs during the first three months of pregnancy increases the risk of serious congenital malformations.

In addition to AcEI antihypertensive drugs, other antihypertensive drugs that pregnant women should avoid include: B-receptor antagonists (representative drug propranolol), which are associated with fetal intrauterine hypoxia, low birth weight and increased perinatal mortality, and are not used to treat pregnancy-induced hypertension. ∝-Adrenergic antagonists (such as prazosin) should also be used with caution because there is little experience in their clinical use. In addition, diuretics are rarely used as antihypertensive drugs during pregnancy. The main reason is that diuretics reduce maternal blood volume and often cause adverse perinatal outcomes, which must be taken seriously.

2. Methyldopa: It is a commonly used antihypertensive drug during pregnancy and the only drug that has been followed up into childhood and proven to be safe.

Salicylate: It is a B-receptor blocker that does not affect the blood circulation of the uterus and placenta and has been widely used in the treatment of hypertension during pregnancy.

3. Hydralazine: It is a vasodilator that has a significant effect in lowering diastolic blood pressure. It does not affect uterine placental circulation and has no adverse effects on the fetus.

Nifedipine and nimodipine are calcium channel blockers that are effective in treating pregnancy-induced hypertension and are easy and safe to use.