Table: Some Antihypertensive Drugs* for High Blood Pressure in Children

Some Antihypertensive Drugs* for High Blood Pressure in Children

Type	Examples	Some Side Effects
Adrenergic blockers Adrenergic blockers High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Some children who have high blood pressure need drugs to lower it. (See also High Blood Pressure in Children... read more
Beta-blocker	Atenolol	Slow heart rate, problems with electrical conduction in the heart, dizziness, fatigue, or wheezing (when given at high doses)
Alpha-agonist	Clonidine	Drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness
Alpha-beta blocker	Labetalol	Low blood pressure when the child stands, swelling, slow heart rate
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Some children who have high blood pressure need drugs to lower it. (See also High Blood Pressure in Children... read more
—	Captopril	Common side effects: Cough, headache, dizziness Severe side effects: Serious injury to a fetus, increased potassium level in the blood, kidney injury, angioedema (allergic swelling that affects the face, lips, and windpipe and may interfere with breathing)
	Enalapril
	Lisinopril
Angiotensin II receptor blockers Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Some children who have high blood pressure need drugs to lower it. (See also High Blood Pressure in Children... read more
—	Candesartan	Common side effects: Headache, dizziness Severe side effects: Serious injury to a fetus, increased potassium level in the blood, kidney injury
	Losartan
	Valsartan
Calcium channel blockers Calcium channel blockers High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Some children who have high blood pressure need drugs to lower it. (See also High Blood Pressure in Children... read more
Dihydropyridines	Amlodipine	Common side effects: Flushing, dizziness, swelling of the lower legs or hands Severe side effect: Angioedema
	Isradipine
	Nifedipine (extended-release tablet only)
Thiazide diuretics Thiazide diuretics High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Some children who have high blood pressure need drugs to lower it. (See also High Blood Pressure in Children... read more
—	Chlorothiazide	Common side effects: Dizziness, decreased potassium level in the blood, increased blood sugar Severe side effects: Heart rhythm changes, sudden yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), pancreatitis
	Chlorthalidone
	Hydrochlorothiazide
Vasodilators Vasodilators High blood pressure (hypertension) is persistently high pressure in the arteries. Some children who have high blood pressure need drugs to lower it. (See also High Blood Pressure in Children... read more
Direct	Hydralazine	Headache, dizziness
Direct	Minoxidil	Common side effects: Dizziness, hairiness, fluid retention Severe side effects: Heart failure, fluid retention in the lungs (pulmonary edema), Stevens-Johnson syndrome Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis are two forms of the same life-threatening skin disorder that cause rash, skin peeling, and sores on the mucous membranes. (See also Overview... read more
* These drugs are given by mouth.