Hypertension Medications for Urgent Care and Inpatient Settings

Hospital A/P, Adults, Pharmacy and Therapeutics

Oral Medication to bring BP down quickly

I use often use:

  • Clonidine 0.2 mg PO x 1

Another option is:

  • Captopril 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg  PO x 1 (if the patient is not volume overloaded)

IV Blood Pressure Medications to bring BP down quickly

  • Hydralazine 10-20 mg IV Push, Q4hr
  • Labetalol 20 mg IV Push, Q15 Min-int

Blood pressure reduction goal

In adults patients with severe asymptomatic hypertension, the goal of management is to reduce the blood pressure to ≤160/≤100 mmHg. However, don’t lower the mean arterial pressure by more than 25 to 30 percent over the first several hours.

Long-term Blood Pressure Treatment

Start with the following agents:

  • ACE inhibitors
  • CCB (dihydropyridine)
  • Thiazides
  • Any other blood pressure medications based on compelling indications.
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