Alterations in the Results of Biochemical Laboratory Tests Due to the Administration of Antihypertensive Drugs

Objective: Perform a literary review of the interference in the results of biochemical laboratory tests caused by antihypertensive drugs. Methods: This is a review of the scientific literature with descriptive research performed according to the PRISMA model using the databases PUBMED, SCIELO, MEDLINE, LILACS, and searches of Brazilian Ministry of Health and Federal Pharmacy Council publications, reagent kits and package inserts approved by ANVISA. Literature and papers in Portuguese and English were selected, prioritizing the years 2010 to 2020. Results: The diuretic class of antihypertensive drugs causes decreases glucose tolerance, thus resulting in an increase in triglycerides. In long-term use, the drug captopril can increase serum levels of potassium, creatine kinase and decreases blood sodium. Methyldopa causes an increase in AST levels. Propranolol is associated with an increase in triglyceride levels and a decrease in HDL and glucose levels. The constant use of losartan results in an increase in HDL, a decrease in uric acid levels and a slight and transient increase in transaminases. In the Gold Analisa, Bioclin and Labtest reagent kits, most of the alterations occur due to the increase in levels of serum biomarkers according to the class of the antihypertensive drug. Conclusions: Biochemical alterations in serum can result in false-positive or false-negative reports, since it can be observed that most of the dosages caused increases due to the physiological effect of the drugs. The antihypertensive drugs that showed the highest incidence of interference were captopril, atenolol, losartan and propranolol.