What are the corresponding antihypertensive drug classes for the following medications: Chlorthalidone, Candesartan, Amlodipine, Ramipril, Carvedilol, and Verapamil?

Antihypertensive Drug Class Matching

The correct matches are: 1-D, 2-B, 3-A, 4-C, 5-E, 6-F, based on the established pharmacologic classifications of these medications. 1

Medication-Class Pairings

1. Chlorthalidone → D. Thiazide-type diuretic

• Chlorthalidone is definitively classified as a thiazide-type diuretic, serving as a primary agent for hypertension management with typical dosing of 12.5-25 mg daily 1
• The ACC/AHA guidelines explicitly identify chlorthalidone as the preferred thiazide-type diuretic based on its prolonged half-life and proven cardiovascular disease reduction in clinical outcome trials 2
• Chlorthalidone demonstrates approximately 1.5 to 2.0 times greater potency than hydrochlorothiazide with a significantly longer duration of action 3

2. Candesartan → B. Angiotensin receptor blocker

• Candesartan cilexetil is classified as an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) with typical dosing of 8-32 mg once daily 1
• This medication blocks the angiotensin II type 1 receptor, preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion 4

3. Amlodipine → A. Dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker

• Amlodipine is definitively a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker with typical dosing of 2.5-10 mg daily 1
• This agent is FDA-approved for hypertension, chronic stable angina, vasospastic angina, and reducing hospitalization risk in documented CAD 5
• Amlodipine demonstrates significant efficacy in blood pressure reduction and is particularly effective in Black patients with hypertension 1

4. Ramipril → C. ACE Inhibitor

• Ramipril belongs to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class with typical dosing of 2.5-20 mg daily, administered once or twice daily 1
• This medication has demonstrated cardiovascular protection in high-risk patients and is associated with improved blood pressure control 1, 6

5. Carvedilol → E. Beta blocker

• Carvedilol is classified as a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (beta blocker) with additional alpha-blocking properties 1
• This dual-action makes it particularly useful in patients with both hypertension and heart failure 1

6. Verapamil → F. Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker

• Verapamil belongs to the non-dihydropyridine subclass of calcium channel blockers with significant effects on cardiac conduction 1
• Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers like verapamil have more pronounced effects on heart rate and cardiac conduction than dihydropyridine agents, and should be avoided in combination with beta blockers except in specific circumstances like atrial fibrillation rate control 1

Key Clinical Distinctions

Calcium Channel Blocker Subclasses

• The critical distinction between amlodipine (dihydropyridine) and verapamil (non-dihydropyridine) lies in their cardiac effects: dihydropyridines primarily cause peripheral vasodilation with minimal cardiac conduction effects, while non-dihydropyridines significantly affect heart rate and AV nodal conduction 1

Thiazide-Type Diuretic Preference

• Among thiazide-type diuretics, chlorthalidone is preferred over hydrochlorothiazide based on superior 24-hour blood pressure control and better cardiovascular outcomes at equivalent doses 2