Alternative Medication for Norvasc

High blood pressure is an increasingly common condition in the U.S. What we eat and our exercise routines can play a big in reducing blood pressure. Many patients have to take medication to reduce blood pressure to a safe level. Norvasc is a popular blood pressure and angina medication as well as a treatment for Raynaud's disease. But it isn't for everyone. Luckily, there are many choices.

Calcium Blockers

• Norvasc is the brand name for amlodipine--a popular calcium channel blocker. Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the cardiac cells and blood vessel walls which results in lower blood pressure.

  There are many calcium channel blockers besides Norvasc including diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine and verapamil.

Other Blood Pressure Medications

• Calcium channel blockers are just one medicative approach to high blood pressure. Depending on the causes of the high blood pressure and your body chemistry and medical history, other types of medications may be used. In some cases, they may be better suited.

  Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors help expand blood vessels and include the drugs benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik).

  In some cases, a doctor may prescribe a diuretic. Besides natural ones like cranberry juice - a doctor may give medications including amiloride (Midamor), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril), indapamide (Lozol), and spironolactone (Aldactone).

  Another approach involves angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists which also expand blood vessels. These include candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan).

Raynaud's Disease

• Norvasc is often used as a treatment for Raynaud's disease - which is characterized by numbness or coolness of the tips of the nose, fingers, toes and ears. Small blood vessels contract in these areas, causing the symptoms.

  Instead of Norvasc, one might use any other of the other calcium chain blockers. However, some patients respond as well or better to alpha blockers like prazosin and doxazosin which counteract blood vessel constricting hormone norepinephrine.

  Also used are vasodilators that open blood vessels. These may include losartan and even sildenafil more commonly known by its trade name, Viagra.

  In all cases, when determining the right treatment and medication for you, consult a qualified physician. Don't make any changes to your existing medication, including switching to generics, without consulting your doctor.