What is the only drug approved for treating hypertension during pregnancy?

The only drug specifically approved for treating hypertension during pregnancy is methyldopa. This medication is categorized as a centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, and it has a long-standing history of use in managing hypertension in pregnant patients. It is well-studied in this population and is recognized for its safety profile, making it the preferred choice by many healthcare practitioners when treating high blood pressure in pregnant women.

Labetalol, hydralazine, and nifedipine are also used in managing hypertension during pregnancy, but they do not have the same level of established approval as methyldopa. Labetalol is commonly used and often prescribed, but its primary indication for use specifically in pregnancy is not the same as methyldopa’s approved status. Hydralazine is typically reserved for acute situations, like hypertension crises during labor. Nifedipine, while effective, is generally used in more specific scenarios and is not the first-line treatment recognized in pregnancy-related hypertension management. Thus, methyldopa stands out as the only drug specifically approved for this particular use.