The effect of antihypertensive agents on glucose metabolism varies according to its type. Different anti hypertensive drugs have different effect on glucose metabolism. Numerous studies have shown that some class of anti hypertensive agents can promote the development of new onset of type-2- diabetes mellitus and also worsen the existing diabetes mellitus. Hypertensive patients on Thiazide diuretic therapy have shown to develop glucose intolerance and new onset diabetes. Angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB’s) have shown a positive effects on glycemic control through a large variety of mechanisms associated to the inhibition of angiotensin thereby not promoting the new onset of diabetes mellitus. A higher incidence of new onset diabetes mellitus was also found with diuretics and/ or beta blockers. Therefore the metabolic outcomes of various antihypertensive drugs should be understood; otherwise not only the disease itself, but also antihypertensive therapies might promote both the development of new onset diabetes and macro, micro complications of diabetes. Hence anti hypertensive agents should be carefully selected as to not further deteriorate an already at risk glucose homeostasis in hypertensive patients.
