Common Blood Pressure Medications

There are millions of people all over the world suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension. Different medicines are used to treat high blood pressure, each of which lowers blood pressure in a different way. Hypertension medications are also called as antihypertensive medicines. Once a person is detected with high blood pressure, his/ her lifestyle changes to a great extent, like, change in diet (reduced sodium intake), weight control and increase in physical activities. Although these medications effectively lower blood pressure, each of them has some side effects. Let us take a look at these common blood pressure medications.

Diuretics
Diuretics, also called water pills, act on the kidneys and help the body to remove sodium and water through urination. They make blood vessels of the heart to hold less water and thereby reduce the pressure on them. Diuretics is an initial treatment for high blood pressure. Many a times these medications are merged with other types of high blood pressure medications for effective treatment. While undergoing treatment with diuretics, urination and thirst of the patient increase. The chief side effect of diuretics is decrease in potassium level. Other diuretics side effects are dehydration, dry mouth and weakness.

ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors work on the hormones that are responsible for narrowing of the blood vessels. The hormone that constricts the blood vessels is angiotensin II, and ACE inhibitors reduce the production of this hormone. Thus reduced amount of angiotensin II widens the blood vessels and reduces the pressure on them. ACE inhibitors also help to draw out extra sodium and water through urination. Like diuretics, they are also used in combination with other blood pressure medicines. Pregnant ladies should not use ACE inhibitors. The side effects of ACE inhibitors are dry cough, allergy and swelling.

Beta-Blockers
Beta blockers lower high blood pressure by reducing the heart beats. Beta receptors are found almost everywhere in our body and stimulation of them leads to increase in blood pressure. Beta blockers reduce blood pressure by blocking these beta receptors. The article what is beta blocker will help you understand more about them. Even beta blockers are combined with other common blood pressure medications. They lower the risk of heart failure, heart diseases and stroke. As every other medication, beta blockers also have side effects that include dizziness, constipation, nausea and headache. However every person under beta blocker medications may not experience these side effects. Beta blockers must be always be used on prescription by a physician.

Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers are also called as CCBs or calcium antagonists. They lower blood pressure by halting the entry of calcium into blood vessels and thereby restricting the blood vessels from narrowing. There are very few side effects of calcium channel blockers and they may be used solely or in combination with other common blood pressure medications.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers, also called as ARBs, lower the blood pressure in a similar way as ACE inhibitors do. Usually these medications are recommended for those hypertension patients who cannot take ACE inhibitors due to their side effects, like, allergy and cough. Even ARBs have side effects like diarrhea, dizziness, etc. Pregnant women should not use ARBs. ARBs can be used alone or in combination with other medications for blood pressure.

Alpha-Blockers
Alpha blockers work in similar manner as beta blockers but the receptors they block are different from beta blockers. They act on the muscles that are responsible for blood vessel constriction and keep the blood vessels open, making it easy for blood to flow through the blood vessels and thus reduce blood pressure. Alpha blockers show significant side effects in initial period of medication, like, dizziness and very high reduction in blood pressure. Nausea, weight gain and weakness are some other side effects of alpha blockers.

The following table gives the generic and brand names of the above listed high blood pressure medications.

Medication	Generic Name	Brand Name
Diuretics	Chlorthalidone	Tenoretic
	Furosemide	Lasix
	Indapamide	Lozol
ACE inhibitors	Enalapril	Vasotec
	Benazepril	Lotensin
	Quinapril	Accupril
Beta-Blockers	Atenolo	Tenormin
	Nadolol	Corgard
	Propranolol	Inderal
CCBs	Felodipine	Plendil
	Isradipine	DynaCirc
	Nisoldipine	Sular
ARBs	Telmisartan	Micardis
	Losartan	Hyzaar
	Valsartan	Diovan
Alpha-Blockers	Prazosin	Minipress
	Terazosin	Hytrin
	Doxazosin	Cardura

Using two or more of the above listed common blood pressure medications at the same time can increase the risk of side effects. All the blood pressure medications should always be used under a physician's guidance. Medications for high blood pressure differ from person to person based on individual need and the stage of blood pressure problem the person is in. Though medications lower the blood pressure, a healthy balanced diet along with regular exercise should be followed for effective reduction in high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a serious health problem that should not be neglected and proper timely treatment should be given to the patient.