Table 4: Drug Therapy of Hypertension in Pregnancy

Table 4:
Drug Therapy of Hypertension in Pregnancy
Drug	Example	Comment
α₂-adrenergic blockers	Methyldopa	Most commonly used. Safety well established. Drug of choice.
Beta-blockers	Atenolol, Metoprolol	Appear safe. Case reports of fetal bradycardia, growth retardataion.
α, β blockers	Labetolol	Appears effacious. Very scant safety data.
Arteriolar vasodilators	Hydralazine	Effacacious and safe during pregnancy and lactation.
ACE inhibitors	Captopril	Absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy due to fetal toxicity.
Calcium channel blockers	Diltiazem	Appear safe, but not as much data to support their use.
Diuretics	Furosemide	Appears safe, but limited efficacy.
Sodium nitroprusside		Avoid in pregnancy due to potential for fetal thiocyanate toxicity
Magnesium sulfate		Treatment of choice for prevention of ecclamptic seizures.
Adapted from reference 7.