Centrally Acting Antihypertensive Drugs

Methyldopa:

Indications: hypertension

Contraindications: contraindicated in patients with active hepatic disease, such as acute hepatitis and active cirrhosis, with liver disorders previously associated with methyldopa therapy. on therapy with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Dose and Administration: Initially 250 mg 2–3 times daily, increased gradually at intervals of at least 2 days, max. 3 g daily; elderly initially 125 mg twice daily, increased gradually, max. 2 g daily.

CLONIDINE:

Indications: in the treatment of hypertension.

Contraindications: not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to

clonidine.

Dose and Administration: By slow intravenous injection, 150–00 micrograms;

max. 750 micrograms in 24 hours.

MOXONIDINE:

Indications: mild to moderate essential hypertension.

Contraindications: history of angioedema; conduction disorders (sick sinus syndrome, sino-atrial block, second- or third-degree AV block); bradycardia; life-threatening arrhythmia; severe heart failure; severe coronary artery disease, unstable angina; severe liver disease or severe renal impairment; also on theoretical grounds: Raynaud’s syndrome, intermittent claudication, epilepsy, depression, Parkinson’s disease; pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Dose and Administration: 200 micrograms once daily in the morning, increased if necessary after 3 weeks to 400 micrograms daily in 1–2 divided doses; max. 600 micrograms daily in 2 divided doses (max. single dose 400 micrograms)

Rilmenidine:

Indications: mild to moderate hypertension.

Contraindications: severe depression and severe renal failure.

Dose and Administration: 1mg daily as a single dose which can be increased if necessary after 1 month to 2mg daily in divided doses.