Hypertension is a complex and dangerous disease of the cardiovascular system, expressed by a significant increase in blood pressure. Having discovered its main symptoms, it is necessary to pay attention to the treatment of the disease as soon as possible, since it is the cause of many other health problems that can subsequently even lead to death.
According to the recommendations of most specialists in the field of medicine, the process of treating hypertension is often carried out by the correct use of alpha-blockers - unique drugs, the features of which we will discuss in more detail below.
Alpha Blocker Overview
What drugs belong to the group of alpha-blockers? What properties do they have? Let's consider it further.
Alpha-blockers used in hypertension are drugs that are called selective in the medical environment. Their main feature is that they have an effect on nerve endings, as a result of which ion channels are activated.
In the comments left by experts in the field of medicine to the drugs of the group in question, it is noted that with hypertension, alpha-blockers can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. In addition, the result of the planned and proper intake of such tablets is the formation of a large amount of oxygen in the human body.
The mechanism of action of drugs
Considering the features of the mechanism of action of drugs of the alpha-blocker group, it is worth paying attention to the work of nerve impulses when they enter the human body. So, these signals, moving from the brain center to certain working organs, overcome not only the nerves, but also the spaces between the cells, which are called synapses in medicine. In order for the transmitted signal to be able to follow further, receptors susceptible to the mediator enter into action. Subsequently, hormones and some other substances begin to exert an effect on the cell membrane.
It is worth noting that alpha-adrenergic receptors included in the composition of the tablets in question have the ability to perceive exclusively adrenaline molecules or substances similar in composition. Based on this, it is easy to guess that when an alpha-blocker enters the bloodstream, all the sensitive structures of the body will suddenly become immune to the adrenaline produced by the body. As a result, the body tissue begins to execute some commands that are given by regulatory systems.
The drugs used in hypertension from the list of alpha-blockers are available in various forms: powder for suspension, tablets, capsules, masses for parenteral administration, as well as aerosols.
Features of exposure to hypertension
It is known that the drugs of this group are used, as a rule, for the treatment of hypertension. This prescription of drugs is due to the fact that alpha receptors have the ability to restrain pressure at a normal level, the rise of which is due to excessive excitation of muscle fibers. As a result of the proper prescription of drugs and their regular use, the following effects are observed:
- protection of organs from exposure to high blood pressure;
- a decrease in the indicator of "bad" cholesterol, which often clogs blood vessels to a state where blood flow stops passing through them;
- decrease in blood pressure to an acceptable indicator, comfortable for normal human life.
It is worth noting that the components that make up the drugs of the group in question do not impede the maintenance of an active lifestyle by hypertension, nor do they harm the human psyche.
Contraindications
When doctors prescribe to their patients drugs created on the basis of alpha-blockers, they must make sure that they have no contraindications for taking the drugs of this category. This number of pathologies include:
- the presence of problems with the functioning of the liver or kidneys - organs that are responsible for the implementation of the biochemical conversion of the main active components of the drugs;
- hypotension;
- valve stenosis;
- ischemic disturbance of cardiac activity.
Apart from all of the above, the drugs of this group cannot be prescribed to those people who have individual intolerance to at least one component included in the composition of the drug.
Some doctors note that an inappropriate age (either too young or, on the contrary, advanced) is a significant obstacle to taking drugs for hypertension from the list of alpha blockers.
List of drugs-alpha-blockers for hypertension
In the event that a person has high blood pressure, the attending physician, as a rule, prescribes adrenoblockers to him. To date, the best drugs in this area include:
- Prazosin;
- "Terazosin";
- "Doxazosin";
- "Phentolamine";
- Yohimbine
- "Clonidine";
- "Dopepeg."
Let us further consider the specific effects of each of them.
"Doxazosin"
"Doxazosin" is one of the most effective alpha-blocker drugs in the treatment of hypertension. Its main advantage is that in addition to the hypertensive effect, the main components that make up the product have antispasmodic and lipid-lowering effects, due to which the vessels expand quite quickly, and blood flow improves.
As for the dosage of the drug, it should be selected exclusively by the doctor, depending on the severity of the disease.
Practice shows that this blocker for hypertension can be used both at rest and with regular physical exertion.
Prazosin
The alpha-blocker required for pressure is the Prazosin preparation, which can be purchased in Russian pharmacies at a price of about 600 rubles per pack.
The main effect of the drug in question is aimed at reducing the need for heart muscle in oxygen, which is especially important in the treatment of hypertension. Specialists in the field of medicine note that the main components of the drug "Prazosin" contribute to the expansion of arteries and veins, without stimulating the development of tachycardia.
"Terazosin"
According to experts in the field of medicine, Terazosin, a drug whose main effect is aimed at the expansion of large vessels, is one of the best alpha-blocker drugs for hypertension. The mechanism of action of the drug in question consists in blocking alpha-1-adrenergic receptors, as a result of which blood pressure decreases very quickly.
Against the background of exposure to the active components of the drug "Terazosin", the lipid profile normalizes quite quickly, and the effect of ACE inhibitors and diuretics increases.
The average cost of the drug "Terazozin" in Russia is about 270 rubles.
"Phentolamine"
Alpha-blocker (hypertension - one of the indications for its use) "Phentolamine" It has a pronounced, but short-term arterio- and venodilating effect, as a result of which the symptoms accompanying the course of the hypertensive crisis are stopped.
Specialists in the field of medicine note that the use of the drug "Phentolamine" contributes to a significant expansion of peripheral vessels, which occurs against the background of the removal of spasms in them. As a rule, as a result of this effect, an improved blood supply to the skin, muscle structures of the body, as well as the mucous membranes is observed.
The use of the drug in question is categorically contraindicated for those people in whose body there is a sharp change in the functioning of blood vessels and heart muscle.
This drug is supplied to pharmacies in the form of a powder intended for the preparation of a suspension. Also, some manufacturers offer it in the form of tablets.
Yohimbine
"Yohimbine" is a drug created on the basis of natural components, including alkaloids, the extraction of which is made from the West African tree.
After entering the human body, these substances begin to actively increase the adrenergic activity characteristic of receptors, which, as a result, leads to stimulation of the nervous system and even to increased sexual desire.
Taking the drug "Yohimbine" is contraindicated in people who are in old age. Moreover, it is not recommended for women and children.
The average cost of capsules in Russian pharmacies is about 300 rubles.
"Clonidine"
"Clonidine" is one of the analogues of the drug "Clonidine". Its main effect is aimed at the manifestation of antihypertensive effects on the human body, resulting in a decrease in not only arterial, but also eye pressure. It is worth noting that the action of the active components of the drug in question is also aimed at regulating vascular tone at a neurogenic level.
Once in the human body, the active substance of the drug "Clonidine" easily passes the blood-brain barrier, after which it begins to actively interact with receptors located in the hypothalamus, due to which there is a rapid decrease in blood pressure throughout the human body.
The average packaging cost of the drug "Clonidine" in Russian pharmacies is about 50 rubles, which is quite acceptable for almost any person.
"Dopegit"
This is a new generation drug, the main effect of which is aimed at lowering blood pressure with a subsequent increase in the hypotensive effect.
The tool actively stimulates alpha receptors, which leads to:
- to the replacement of endogenous dopamine at the dopaminergic nerve endings;
- decrease in sympathic tone by the method of active stimulation of central inhibitory presynaptic alpha receptors;
- a decrease in the level of renin activity present in human blood plasma;
- suppression of the production of adrenaline and norepinephrine, which is achieved by suppressing the activity of the unique enzyme dopa-decarboxylase.
In the reviews of the alpha-adrenergic blocking drug under consideration (it is often prescribed for hypertension), doctors often note that the most stable expected effect can be achieved after a couple of days from the start of use, and primary manifestations can be observed after 5-6 hours from the time of administration first dose.
The drug in question is in an acceptable price category - a package of tablets will cost 200 rubles.
Feasible side effects
It is worth noting that as a result of taking the drugs of the group in question, the patient may experience side effects. These include:
- visual impairment;
- asthenia;
- tachycardia;
- hypotension;
- the appearance of skin rashes;
- constipation (or, conversely, loose stools);
- xerostomia;
- dizziness.
It is worth noting that these symptoms can be observed when taking alpha-blockers in combination with other incompatible drugs. In some cases, such reactions are caused by the use of alcohol in parallel with the use of drugs.
It is worth noting that some symptoms (for example, dizziness or partial loss of visual ability) can provoke accidents, therefore, with their manifestations, you should behave as carefully as possible.
In any case, when observing a condition other than normal, the patient taking the drugs of the group in question should immediately contact the treating doctor and inform him of the problem.