Medicine for Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of blood on the arteries when the heart contracts. High blood pressure is known as "The Silent Killer" because it can cause serious damage before any symptoms are noticed. It is important to monitor blood pressure and to consistently take prescribed medicines to prevent life-threatening complications. The most common blood pressure medicines, according to the American Heart Association, are listed below.

Diuretics

• Diuretics decrease fluid volume by increasing urine output. (Too much circulating volume, or volume within the blood vessels, can increase blood pressure). The most common diuretics are amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide and spironolactone.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE Inhibitors)

• Ace inhibitors relax the blood vessels, which in turn, decreases blood pressure. Generic forms of this drug include benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, quinapril, perindopril erbumine, ramipril and trandolapril.

Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists (ARBs)

• ARBs are often used in conjunction with ACE inhibitors to block angiotensin in the kidneys and relax blood vessels. Generic forms of this drug include candesartan cilexetil, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, telmisartan and valsartan.

Calcium Channel Blockers

• Calcium channel blockers help relax the vessels by blocking the movement of calcium into the heart and vessels. They also relax the vessels, which leads to lower blood pressure. Generic forms of calcium channel blockers include amlodipine, bepridil, diltiazem, felodipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine and verapamil.

Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers slow the heart rate, decreasing the pressure put on the arteries and leading to lower blood pressure. Generic forms of beta blockers include acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide, bisoprolol, carteolol, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol, sotalol and timolol.

Alpha Blockers

• Alpha blockers relax blood vessels and certain muscles. Generic alpha blockers include doxazosin mesylate, prazosin hydrochloride, prazosin and polythiazide combination and terazosin hydrochloride.