A variety of vasodilators and alpha receptor blockers are used in clinical medicine. Nonselective alpha-adrenergic blocking agents (eg, phenoxybenzamine, phentolamine, and tolazoline) have been used in clinical practice since the 1940s. The first selective alpha1 blocker, prazosin, was introduced in the early 1970s; doxazosin, indoramin, terazosin, trimazosin, urapidil, and tamsulosin (approved for benign prostatic hypertrophy) are newer alpha1-selective agents. Minoxidil, hydralazine, and diazoxide are directly acting peripheral vasodilators. Fenoldopam is a dopamine 1 receptor agonist that has been approved by the FDA for in-hospital, short-term management of severe hypertension. Nesiritide is a recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide that is used for the intravenous treatment of acutely decompensated congestive heart failure. Sildenafil is one of a class of agents used in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. Nitroprusside (See Nitroprusside) and nitrates (See Nitrates and Nitrites) are discussed elsewhere.