AT1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle, helping blood vessels to relax and reduce B/P.

_Beta blockers:_ Decrease B/P by inhibiting beta1-adrenergic receptors, which lowers heart rate, heart workload, and the heart's output of blood.

_Calcium channel blockers:_ Reduce B/P by inhibiting flow of extracellular calcium across cell membranes of vascular tissue, relaxing arterial smooth muscle.

_Diuretics:_ Inhibit sodium (Na) reabsorption, increasing excretion of Na and water. Reduce plasma, extracellular fluid volume, and peripheral vascular resistance.

_Renin inhibitors:_ Directly inhibit renin, decreasing plasma renin activity (PRA), inhibiting conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin, producing antihypertensive effect.

_Vasodilators:_ Directly relaxe arteriolar smooth muscle, decreasing vascular resistance. Exact mechanism unknown.

#####  ANTIHYPERTENSIVES

Name| Availability| Dosage Range| Side Effects  
---|---|---|---  
(ACE) Inhibitors  
 **Benazepril (Lotensin)**|  **T:** 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg| 20–80mg/kg q8h for 10 days.

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

**IV:** **ADULTS, CHILDREN 12 YRS AND OLDER:** (immunocompromised) 10 mg/kg/dose q8h for 7–10 days. **CHILDREN YOUNGER THAN 12 YRS:** (immunocompromised) 20 mg/kg/dose q8h for 7–10 days.

**PO:** **ADULTS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN 12 YRS AND OLDER:** 800 mg q4h 5 times/day for 7–10 days.

Herpes Labialis (Cold Sores)

**Topical:** **ADULTS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN 12 YRS AND OLDER:** Apply to affected area 5 times/day for 4 days.

Varicella-Zoster (Chickenpox)

**◀ ALERT ▶** Begin treatment within 24 hrs of onset of rash.

**IV:** **ADULTS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN 12 YRS AND OLDER:** 10 mg/kg/dose q8h for 7 days. **CHILDREN LESS THAN 12 YRS:** 20 mg/kg/dose q8h for 7 days.

**PO:** **ADULTS, ELDERLY, CHILDREN OLDER THAN 12 YRS AND CHILDREN 2–12 YRS, WEIGHING 40 KG OR MORE:** 800 mg 4 times/day for 5 days. **CHILDREN 2–12 YRS,