Medications to Reduce High Blood Pressure

People who suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) have the option of choosing from a number of different medications including: diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, alpha blockers, alpha-beta blockers, nervous system drugs and direct vasodilators. Doctors may prescribe a combination of these drugs depending on the stage of hypertension. Along with taking medication, it is important for hypertension patients to make some lifestyle changes, such as: quitting smoking, decreasing sodium intake, getting regular exercise, sustaining a healthy weight and avoiding alcohol.

Diuretics

• Also called water pills, diuretics help manage blood pressure by removing excess fluids and sodium from your bloodstream. Diuretics are the most commonly prescribed medications for hypertension. Some brand names of diuretics are: Thalitone, Lasix, Esidrix, Lozol and Dyazide.

Alpha Blockers and Beta Blockers

• Alpha blockers help your blood vessels relax by reducing the number of nerve signals. Some brand names are: Cardura, Minipress and Hytrin. Beta blockers work by inhibiting nerve signals to your blood vessels and your heart. This slows down your heartbeat, thus reducing blood pressure. Some brand names are: Sectral, Tenormin, Coreg, Lopressor, Corgard, Inderal and Blocadren.

ACE Inhibitors and ARBs

• Angiotensin II is a hormone your body produces that causes narrowing of your blood vessels. ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors) reduce the production of angiotensin II, thus allowing your blood to move more freely through your blood vessels. Some brand names are: Lotensin, Vasotec, Prinivil, Accupril, Altace and Mavik. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) block the receptors that absorb angiotensin II, and thus prevent the narrowing of blood vessels. Some brand names are: Cozaar, Benicar and Diovan.

Calcium Channel Blockers

• Calcium also can cause narrowing of your blood vessels when it enters the cells of your heart muscles. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) stop calcium from entering the cells. Some brand names of CCBs are: Norvasc, Cardizem and Adalat.

Nervous System Drugs

• Nervous system drugs inhibit the nerve signals that cause blood vessel contraction, which your brain sends out, affecting your central nervous system. Examples of these drugs include: clonidine and methyldopa.

Direct Vasodilators

• Direct vasodilators help reduce blood pressure by directly affecting your blood vessels. They relax blood vessels, which causes them to expand. Some brand names are: Apresoline and Loniten.

Side Effects

• Some of these drugs might have side effects, which may or may not be severe in nature. Some of the most common side effects of anti-hypertension drugs include: nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, weight fluctuations, anxiety, irregular heartbeat, infections of the respiratory tract, and rashes. Talk to your doctor if you experience these or any other side effects from the medication, and seek emergency treatment if necessary. Do not stop taking your medication without consulting your physician.