JNC8 Hypertension Guideline Algorithm

Initial Drugs of Choice for Hypertension

Adult aged ≥ 18 years with HTN • ACEinhibitor (ACEI)
Implement lifestyle modifications
• Angiotensin receptor blocker(ARB)
Set BPgoal, initiate BP-lowering medication based on algorithm
• Thiazide diuretic
General Population • Calcium channel blocker (CCB)
(no diabetes or CKD) Diabetes or CKDpresent

Strategy Description
Age ≥ 60years Age < 60 years All Ages Diabetes All Ages and Races A Start one drug, titrate tomaximum
present No CKD CKDpresent with or dose, and then add a seconddrug.
without diabetes
BPGoal BPGoal B Start one drug, then add a second
< 150/90 < 140/90 drug before achieving max dose of
BPGoal BPGoal first
< 140/90 < 140/90
C Begin 2 drugs at same time, as
separate pills or combination pill.
Initiate ACEI or ARB, Initial combination therapy is
Nonblack Black
alone or combo recommended if BPis greater than
w/another class 20/10mm Hg abovegoal
Initiate thiazide, ACEI, ARB, Initiate thiazide or CCB,
or CCB,alone or incombo alone or combo
Lifestyle changes:
Yes • Smoking Cessation
At blood pressure goal?
• Control bloodglucose and lipids
No
• Diet
Reinforce lifestyle and adherence  Eat healthy (i.e., DASHdiet)
Titrate medications to maximum doses or consider adding another medication (ACEI, ARB, CCB, Thiazide)  Moderate alcoholconsumption
 Reduce sodium intake to no
Yes more than 2,400mg/day
At blood pressure goal?
• Physical activity
No
 Moderate-to-vigorous activity
Reinforce lifestyle and adherence 3-4 days a week averaging 40
Add a medication classnot already selected (i.e. beta blocker, aldosterone antagonist, others) and titrate min per session.
above medications to max (see back of card)

Yes
At blood pressure goal? Continue tx and monitoring
No
Reference: James PA, Ortiz E, et al. 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management
Reinforce lifestyle and adherence of high blood pressure in adults: (JNC8). JAMA. 2014 Feb5;311(5):507-20
Titrate meds to maximum doses, add another med and/or refer to hypertension specialist
Card developed by Cole Glenn, Pharm.D. & James LTaylor, Pharm.D.
 CompellingIndications
Hypertension Treatment
Indication Treatment Choice
Heart Failure ACEI/ARB + BB+ diuretic +spironolactone
Post –MI/Clinical CAD ACEI/ARB AND BB
Beta-1 Selective Beta-blockers – possibly safer in patients
CAD ACEI, BB, diuretic, CCB with COPD, asthma, diabetes, and peripheral vascular
Diabetes ACEI/ARB, CCB, diuretic disease:
• metoprolol
CKD ACEI/ARB
• bisoprolol
Recurrent stroke prevention ACEI, diuretic • betaxolol
Pregnancy labetolol (firstline), nifedipine, methyldopa • acebutolol

Drug Class Agents of Choice Comments

Diuretics HCTZ12.5-50mg, chlorthalidone 12.5-25mg, indapamide 1.25-2.5mg
triamterene 100mg
K+ sparing – spironolactone 25-50mg, amiloride 5-10mg, triamterene
100mg
furosemide 20-80mg twice daily, torsemide10-40mg
ACEI/ARB ACEI: lisinopril, benazapril, fosinopril and quinapril 10-40mg, ramipril 5-
10mg, trandolapril 2-8mg
ARB: candesartan 8-32mg, valsartan 80-320mg, losartan50-100mg,
olmesartan 20-40mg, telmisartan20-80mg
Beta-Blockers metoprolol succinate 50-100mg and tartrate 50-100mg twice daily,
nebivolol 5-10mg, propranolol 40-120mg twice daily, carvedilol6.25-25mg
twice daily, bisoprolol 5-10mg, labetalol 100-300mg twice daily,
Calciumchannel Dihydropyridines: amlodipine 5-10mg, nifedipine ER30-90mg,
blockers Non-dihydropyridines: diltiazem ER180-360 mg, verapamil 80-120mg3
times daily or ER240-480mg
Vasodilators hydralazine 25-100mg twice daily, minoxidil5-10mg
Monitor for hypokalemia
Most SEare metabolic innature
Most effective when combined w/ ACEI
Stronger clinical evidencew/chlorthalidone
Spironolactone - gynecomastia andhyperkalemia
Loop diuretics may be needed when GFR<40mL/min
SE:Cough (ACEI only), angioedema (more with ACEI),
hyperkalemia
Losartan lowers uric acid levels; candesartan may
prevent migraineheadaches
Not first line agents – reserve for post-MI/CHF
Cause fatigue and decreased heart rate
Adversely affect glucose; mask hypoglycemic awareness
Cause edema; dihydropyridines may be safelycombined
w/ B-blocker
Non-dihydropyridines reduce heart rate andproteinuria
Hydralazine and minoxidil may cause reflex tachycardia
and fluid retention – usually require diuretic + B-blocker

terazosin 1-5mg, doxazosin 1-4mg given atbedtime Alpha-blockers may cause orthostatic hypotension
Centrally- clonidine 0.1-0.2mg twice daily, methyldopa 250-500mg twice daily Clonidine available in weekly patch formulation for
acting Agents resistant hypertension
guanfacine 1-3mg