| Anti-hypertensive | Starting Dose |
| Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) | 1-10mcg/kg/hr |
| Glyceryl tri-nitrate (GTN, NTG) | 5-10 mcg/hr |
| Phentolamine | |
| b blocker e.g. atenolol | 2.5-5mg IV |
| Labetalol (mixed a/b blocker) | |
| Hydralazine | 10-20mg IV |
| Diazoxide | |
| Nifedipine |
| Anti-hypertensive | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) | Usually predictable effect Rapid onset/offset, Easy to titrate |
Reflex tachycardia Coronary steal Raised ICP Thiocyanate toxicity (crosses placenta) Methaemoglobinaemia V/Q mismatching Requires protection from light Rebound effects |
| Glyceryl tri-nitrate (GTN, NTG) | Reduces myocardial ischaemia Rapid onset/offset, Easy to titrate |
Reflex tachycardia ?Methaemoglobinaemia V/Q mismatching Unpredictable effects |
| Phentolamine | Effective Rapid onset |
Reflex tachycardia |
| b blocker e.g. atenolol | Reduce myocardial ischaemia |
Asthma Complete heart block Paradoxical hypertension |
| Labetalol (mixed a/b blocker) | No reflex tachycardia |
Asthma Complete heart block Paradoxical hypertension |
| Clonidine | No postural hypotension No reflex tachycardia Safe in renal failure |
Sedation Anticholinergic side effects Rebound effects |
| Hydralazine | Proven safety in pregnancy | Reflex tachycardia Unpredictable effects Difficult to titrate Anticholinergic/antimuscarinic side effects Decreased elimination in slow acetylators |
| Diazoxide | Proven safety in pregnancy | Reflex tachycardia Anticholinergic side effects |
| Nifedipine | None - do not use | Reflex tachycardia Uncontrolled/unpredictable effect |