Antihypertensive Choices during Pregnancy in Limited Setting

• Main Authors: Ernawati, -, Aditiawarman, -, Salsabila Nabilah Rifdah, -, Agus Sulistyono, Agus
• Format: Article PeerReviewed
• Language: English; Indonesian; English
• Published: Pharmacognosy Network Worldwide
• Subjects: R5-920 Medicine (General)
• Online Access: https://repository.unair.ac.id/128367/1/Antihypertensive%20choices%20during.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/128367/2/Validasi%20%28Antihypertensive%20%20%29.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/128367/3/Antihypertensive%20choices%20during.pdf; https://repository.unair.ac.id/128367/; https://scholar.unair.ac.id/en/publications/antihypertensive-choices-during-pregnancy-in-limited-setting#:~:text=Conclusion%3A%20Nifedipine%20and%20methyldopa%20are,resources%2C%20either%20monotherapy%20or%20combined.; https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2023.15.46
• Institution: Universitas Airlangga

Abstract Background: Antihypertensive agents used during pregnancy may vary from institution to institution and depend on resource availability. Objective: This study aimed to determine the profile of antihypertensive drugs used in pregnancy in low-middle-income countries and the impact of these drugs on maternal and fetal outcomes. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study on hypertensive pregnant patients admitted to the emergency unit at a tertiary referral Hospital in Indonesia. The type of hypertension during pregnancy, antihypertensive drugs, side effect, and maternal and perinatal outcomes was extracted from medical hospital records. Results: A total of 762 hypertensive pregnant women were recruited; 61 were diagnosed with preeclampsia, 491 were preeclampsia with severe features and 174 were chronic hypertension superimposed preeclampsia, and 81.54% of them received antihypertension therapy. The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs were combination therapy of nifedipine and methyldopa (96.7%), followed by monotherapy of methyldopa (2.3%), nicardipine (1.1%), and nifedipine (0.2%). Most of the patients successfully attained a Systolic blood pressure<160mmHg. Tachycardia was reported in 47 (7.9%) pregnant women who received antihypertensive medication; none reported hypotension and arrhythmia. Conclusion: Nifedipine and methyldopa are choices for an antihypertensive agent in limited resources, either monotherapy or combined. Nifedipine's immediate release can be used with a low risk of hypotension.