Pharmacovigilance in Hypertension: A Critical Framework for Optimizing Safety in Antihypertensive Therapy

Abstract

Hypertension is a global health burden and a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, necessitating lifelong pharmacological intervention. While antihypertensive agents such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics are essential for blood pressure control, their use is frequently accompanied by adverse drug reactions (ADRs) that can lead to poor adherence, treatment discontinuation, or life-threatening complications. With the emergence of novel therapeutics targeting aldosterone synthase, neprilysin, and central renin-angiotensin pathways, the landscape of hypertension management is evolving, bringing new safety challenges that demand rigorous post-marketing surveillance. Pharmacovigilance—through systematic ADR detection, reporting, and analysis—serves as a cornerstone in safeguarding patient safety, optimizing therapy, and guiding clinical decision-making. Embedding pharmacovigilance into hypertension care pathways, supported by timely reporting from healthcare professionals, is essential for reducing preventable harm and enhancing long-term treatment outcomes.