The Effects of Blood Pressure Medicine

There are many types of medications that will lower your blood pressure. Most have few side effects, if any. Serious reactions such as chest pain, breathing or swallowing difficulties, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, eyes or legs, irregular heartbeat, rashes, fainting or fever should be reported to your doctor immediately. Each type of medication works in a different way to lower your blood pressure.

Diuretics

• Diuretics include Thalitone, Lasix, Esidrix and Lozol. These medications assist your body in eliminating excess sodium and water to relieve your blood vessels from holding extra fluid.

Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers include Sectral, Tenormin, Coreg, Lopressor and Toprol XL. They slow your heart rate to allow your blood to move through the vessels with less pressure.

ACE Inhibitors

• Angiotensin-conversting enzyme inhibitors are called ACE inhibitors and include Lotensin, Vasotec, Prinivil, Zestril and Altace. These medications prevent your body from creating angiotensin II, which is a hormone that can result in narrowing blood vessels.

ARBs

• Angiotensin II receptor blockers are called ARBs and include Atacand, Avapro, Cozaar, Benicar and Diovan. They work to safeguard your blood vessels from angiotensin II.

Calcium Channel Blockers

• Calcium channel blockers include Norvasc, Cardizen, Dilacor, Plendil, Cardene, Adalat, Procardia and Verelan. These medications block calcium from your cells which helps to prevent narrowing of your blood vessels.

Alpha-blockers

• Alpha-blockers include Cardura, Minipress and Hytrin. These medications moderate nerve impulses which relaxes your blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow easier.

Centrally Acting Drugs and Vasodilators

• Centrally acting drugs which include Catapres and methyldopa moderate nerve impulses and prevent narrowing of your blood vessels. Vasodilators include Apresoline and Loniten. They calm the muscles in your blood vessel walls which allows them to widen.