The information provided here is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medications listed below. Only the most general side effects are included, so ask your healthcare provider if you need to take any special precautions. Use each of these medications as recommended by your healthcare provider, or according to the instructions provided. If you have further questions about usage or side effects, contact your healthcare provider.
Many different medications are available to lower your blood pressure. Your doctor will discuss the options with you and help you select a medication plan to meet your needs. Many times more than one drug is needed to control blood pressure.
Blood pressure medications must be taken daily. Do not stop taking your medication on your own. If you develop side effects, notify your doctor.
He or she may be able to adjust the treatment such as by changing the dose or choosing another drug to help minimize side effects while controlling your blood pressure.
Hypertension can be controlled, not cured. Taking your medications as ordered is vital to controlling this condition and reducing the risk of complications. It may be necessary to take the medications indefinitely.
Be sure to discuss these issues with your doctor.
Diuretics help the kidneys get rid of excess water and sodium. These medications are sometimes referred to as “water pills.”
Possible side effects include:
Dizziness
Frequent urination
Beta-blockers
Common names include:
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal)
Metoprolol (Toprol)
Nadolol (Corgard)
Betaxolol (Kerlone)
Acebutolol (Sectral)
Pindolol (Visken)
Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
Beta-blockers reduce demands on the heart by reducing the rate and force of contraction and help lower blood pressure.
Possible side effects include:
Low blood pressure
Slow heart rate
Fatigue
A recent review of 13 clinical trials was conducted comparing beta-blockers (particularly atenolol) with a placebo, no treatment, or the other commonly used antihypertensive medications. The results suggest that a beta-blocker should not be relied upon as first line treatment for hypertension since it had only a slight affect on stroke risk and no affect on coronary heart disease risk compared to placebo. Beta-blockers also appeared to be less effective at reducing the risk of stroke than the other medications.*
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Common names include:
Benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin)
Captopril (Capoten)
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec)
Quinapril (Accupril)
Perindopril (Aceon)
Ramipril (Altace)
Trandolapril (Mavik)
Fosinopril (Monopril)
Moexipril (Univasc )
Lisinopril (Zestril and Prinivil)
ACE inhibitors relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure by blocking the production of a hormone that causes the blood vessels to constrict.
Possible side effects include:
Headache
Dizziness
Cough
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
Common names include:
Irbesartan (Avapro)
Losartan potassium (Cozaar)
Valsartan
Candesartan (Atacand)
Olmesartan (Benicar)
Telmisartan (Micardis)
Eprosartan (Teveten)
Angiotensin antagonists relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure by shielding the blood vessels from a hormone that causes the blood vessels to constrict.
Calcium channel blockers relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure by blocking some activities of heart and blood vessel muscle cells.
Possible side effects include:
Dizziness
Constipation
Swelling in the legs
Alpha-blockers
Common names include:
Prazosin (Minipress)
Terazosin (Hytrin)
Doxazosin
Alpha-blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing nerve impulses to the blood vessels. This relaxes the blood vessels and helps lower blood pressure.
Possible side effects include:
Dizziness
Headache
Alpha-beta Blockers
Common names include:
Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate)
Carvediol (Coreg)
Alpha-beta blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing nerve impulses to the blood vessels. They also slow the heart rate and decrease the force of contraction. This decreases the work load of the heart and helps lower the blood pressure.
Possible side effects include:
Dizziness
Postural hypotension (blood pressure falls when standing up)
Centrally Acting Nervous System Drugs
Common names include:
Clonidine (Catapres)
Methyldopa (Aldomet)
Nervous system drugs lower blood pressure by controlling nerve impulses and relaxing blood vessels. These drugs can be taken orally; Catapres is available through a skin patch.
Possible side effects include:
Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Redness, itching, and skin irritation with skin patch
Vasodilators
Common names include:
Hydralazine hydrochloride (Apresoline)
Vasodilators lower blood pressure by directly relaxing blood vessel walls.
Possible side effects include:
Fluid retention
Rapid heart rate
Special Considerations
Whenever you are taking a prescription medication, take the following precautions:
Take them as directed—not more, not less, not at a different time.
Do not stop taking them without consulting your healthcare provider.
Don’t share them with anyone else.
Know what effects and side effects to expect, and report them to your healthcare provider.
If you are taking more than one drug, even if it is over-the-counter, be sure to check with a physician or pharmacist about drug interactions.
Plan ahead for refills so you don’t run out.
When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider
Contact your healthcare provider if you:
Develop side effects to any of the medications
Check your own blood pressure and it regularly runs higher or lower than the target blood pressure range set by your doctor
References:
American Heart Association
website. Available at: http://www.americanheart.org.
Conn's Current Therapy 2001. 53rd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Mosby’s Drug Consult.
Mosby Inc; 2002.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
website. Available at:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.
The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: The JNC 7 Report.
JAMA.
2003;289:2560-2572.
Updated Beta-blockers section on 5/8/2007 according to the following study, as cited by DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance: CS Wiysonge, H Bradley, BM Mayosi, et al. Beta-blockers for hypertension [review]. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007(2). The Cochrane Library website. Available at: http://www.mrw.interscience.wiley.com/cochrane/clsysrev/articles/CD002003/frame.html.
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
