Which of the following agents is also a first-line treatment for hypertension?

Chlorthalidone is recognized as a first-line treatment for hypertension due to its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure and its long duration of action. It is a thiazide-like diuretic that works by promoting the excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys, thereby reducing blood volume and peripheral vascular resistance, which are critical contributors to high blood pressure.

Clinical guidelines typically recommend thiazide diuretics, including chlorthalidone, as initial therapy for the management of hypertension, particularly in patients with uncomplicated hypertension. The medication has been shown to not only lower blood pressure effectively but also to provide cardiovascular protection over the long term.

Although amlodipine, captopril, and losartan are important medications in the treatment of hypertension—each belonging to different classes, such as calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers—they are usually considered second-line options or are employed after thiazide diuretics in specific circumstances, such as when additional blood pressure control is necessary or when patients have certain comorbid conditions.