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. 2025 Jun 30;35(4):460–469. doi: 10.25259/IJN_385_2024

Table 8:

Pharmacological agents used in management of pediatric HTN

Drug type Drug Starting dose Maximum dose Interval

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Common drug class side effects: cough, headache, dizziness, asthenia44

Benazepril45 0.2 mg/kg, up to 10 mg 0.6 mg/kg, up to 40 mg Daily
Captopril45 0.3-0.5 mg/kg 6 mg/kg Twice to three times daily
Enalapril42 0.08 mg/kg/day 0.6 mg/kg/day, up to 40 mg/day Daily
Fosinopril45 0.1-0.6 mg/kg 40 mg Daily
Lisinopril45 0.08-0.6 mg/kg 0.6 mg/kg, up to 40 mg Daily
Ramipril45 2.5 mg/m2 BSA 6 mg/m2 BSA up to 10 mg Daily
Quinapril42 5-10 mg 80 mg Daily

Angiotensin receptor blockers

Common drug class side effects: headache, dizziness44

Candesartan42 1-6 years: 0.2 mg/kg/day 6-17 years: <50 kg: 4-8 mg, >50 kg: 8-16 mg 1-6 years: 0.4 mg/kg/day 6-17 years: 32 mg Daily
Irbesartan45 75-150 mg 300 mg Daily
Losartan45 0.7 mg/kg, up to 50 mg 1.4 mg/kg, up to 100 mg Daily
Olmesartan42 20-35 kg: 10 mg, >35 kg: 20 mg 20-35 kg: 20 mg, >35 kg: 40 mg Daily
Valsartan42 <6 years: 5-10 mg/d, 6-17 years: 1.3 mg/kg/day, up to 40 mg <6 years: 80 mg, 6-17 years: 2.7 mg/kg/day, up to 160 mg Daily

Thiazide diuretics

Common drug class side effects: hypokalemia, dizziness44

Chlorthalidone45 0.3 mg/kg 2 mg/kg, up to 50 mg Daily
Hydrochlorothiazide45 0.5-1 mg/kg 3 mg/kg/day Daily

Calcium channel blockers

Common drug class side effects: peripheral edema, flushing, dizziness44

Amlodipine45 0.06-0.3 mg/kg 5-10 mg
Felodipine45 2.5 mg 10 mg Daily
Nifedipine44 0.35-0.5 mg/kg 3 mg/kg, up to 120 mg Daily to twice daily

β-blockers

Common drug class side effects: fatigue, diminished exercise ability, weight gain, worsening insulin sensitivity, onset of diabetes46

Labetalol45 2-3 mg/kg/day 10-12 mg/kg/day, up to 1,200 mg/day Twice daily
Atenolol45 1-3 mg/kg/day 10-12 mg/kg/day, up to 1,200 mg/day Twice daily
Metoprolol45 0.5-1 mg/kg/day 2 mg/kg/day Daily to twice daily
Carvedilol46 0.1 mg/kg per dose, up to 6.25 mg 0.5 mg/kg per dose, up to 25 mg Twice daily

α-blockers

Common drug class side effects: postural hypotension with short-acting prazosin46

Prazosin45 0.05-0.1 mg/kg/day 0.5 mg/kg/day Three times daily
Doxazosin45 1 mg 4 mg Daily

HTN: Hypertension, BSA: Body surface area, BP: Blood pressure