Blood Pressure Medications

There are several high blood pressure medications or (antihypertensives) that are available for use. Each medication will have its benefits as well as some associated disadvantages. Depending on the severity of your hypertension your doctor may prescribe more than one kind of antihypertensive.

Recommendations to change your lifestyle will also be essential and will work in conjunction with any antihypertensives prescribed to lower the potentially life-threatening blood pressure levels. These changes may also reduce the number of prescribed medications you will need to take.

Lifestyle Changes

Eliminate smoking.
Do some form of physical activity for at least 30 minutes per day. It is advisable to develop an exercise routine that will include cardio exercises like running, jogging, step aerobics, bicycling and/or walking. If you are not able to do 30 minutes of continuous exercise in the initial stages of adopting a new work-out routine, you may break down the time spent exercising into different sessions per day. For example: 3 sessions of 10 minutes each.
Maintain a healthy or ideal weight.
Drink alcohol less frequently or not at all. It is estimated that no more than one drink for a woman and two drinks for a man.
Make alterations to your diet by consuming more fruits and vegetables and low-fat dairy products. Lessen the amount of salt used to prepare food.

High Blood Pressure Medications (Antihypertensive)

These medications are usually prescribed when lifestyle changes alone have not lowered high blood pressure levels. The following medications will include the major trade names as well as their generic names.

Diuretics

Diuretics will lower blood by prompting the body to eliminate excess fluids and sodium when you urinate. If a diuretic does not work on its own it may be used with other antihypertensives. Some common diuretics include:

Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
Spironlactone (Aldactone)
Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
Amiloride (Midamor)
Indapamide (Lozol)
Furosemide (Lasix)

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

This class of drug will induce the expansion of blood vessels and reduce resistance. This will allow the blood supply to circulate more freely throughout the body therefore allowing the heart to work more effectively. It may also be used to treat heart failure symptoms. It is contraindicated for pregnant women or women who are trying to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while on these pills, discontinue use and consult your doctor. The following are some available ACE inhibitors:

Caporal (Capoten)
Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Trandolapril (Mavik)
Ramipril (Altace)
Moexipril (Univasc)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Quinapril (Accupril)
Perindopril (Aceon)
Fosinopril (Monopril)

Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists

This will mimic the effect of ACE inhibitors, but are generally more tolerated because they will not cause as much coughing. They prevent angiotensin II from having any effect on the heart and blood vessels. This will control blood pressure levels by keeping it from rising. Do not take if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Some Angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists will include:

Telmisartan (Micardis)
Valsartan (Diovan)
Losartan (Cozaar)
Candesartan (Atacand)
Irbesartan (Avapro)
Eprosartan (Teveten)

Beta Blockers

Beta Blockers will reduce the heart rate and cardiac output which will ultimately lower blood pressure levels. These may include:

Atenolol (Tenormin)
Timolol (Blocadren)
Sotalol (Betapace)
Nadolol (Corgard)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Carteolol (Cartrol)
Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
Betaxolol (Kerlone)
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
Acebutolol (Sectral)
Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)

Combination Therapies

· Propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Inderide)
Timolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Timolide)
Bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)
Atenolol and chlorthalidone (Tenoretic)
Nadolol and bendroflumethiazide (Corzide)

Combination Therapy – ACE Inhibitor/Diuretic

Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide (Prinzide, Zestoretic)
Moexipril and hydrochlorothiazide (Uniretic)
Quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide (Accuretic)
Benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide (Lotensin)
Enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide (Vaseretic)

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers will hinder the movement of calcium into the heart and vessel cells. These will include:

Nisoldipine (Sular)
Nimodipine (Nimotop)
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Lotrel)
Bepridil (Vascor)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)

Combination Therapy – Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist/Diuretic

Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar)
Valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Diovan HCT)
Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Avalide)

Combination Therapy – ACE Inhibitor/Calcium Channel Blocker

Trandolapril and verapamil (Tarka)
Amlodipine and benazepril (Lotrel
Enalapril and felodipine (Lexxel)

Alpha Blockers

Terazosin hydrochloride (Hytrin)
Doxazosin mesylate (Cardura)
Prazosin and polythiazide (Minizide)
Prazosin hydrochloride (Minipress)

Central Alpha Agonists

Methyldopa and chlorothiazide (Aldochlor)
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide (Aldoril)
Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres)
Methyldopa (Aldomet)
Guanabenz Acetate (Wytensin)
Clonidine hydrochloride and chlorthalidone (Clorpres, Combipres)
Guanfacine hydrochloride (Tenex)

Blood Pressure Medications

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