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Medications
High blood pressure (hypertension)
increases the risk of heart disease, heart attack
and stroke. High blood pressure cannot be cured,
only kept under control with treatment. Even
when a person makes lifestyle changes, loses
weight, or decreases the sodium in their diet,
it may not be enough to control their blood
pressure. In these instances, medications are
often used to help patients keep their blood
pressure under control. Medication usually has
to be taken for a lifetime.
All blood pressure medications
have potential side effects. If you start experiencing
any dizziness, headache, swelling or other symptoms,
contact your physician. Never just stop taking
your medications. Doing so could cause your
blood pressure to rise to a dangerous level.
| Common
medications used to control hypertension:: |
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ACE inhibitors
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Common
trade names: Captopril, Lotensin,
Capoten, Zestril, Altace, Vasotec, Accupril,
Cozaar |
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These medications
interfere with the body's production of
a chemical that causes the arteries to constrict
(narrow). |
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Advantage:
Side effects tend to be minimal. |
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Disadvantages:
Users may develop an occasional cough. |
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Beta-blockers |
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Common
trade names: Tenormin, Cartrol, Lopressor,
Corgard, Levatol, Visken, Inderal, Sectral,
Kerlone, Zebeta, Inderal, Toprol-XL |
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Advantage:
Many are relatively inexpensive and effective. |
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Disadvantages:
Aren't usually recommended if you have congestive
heart failure or asthma. Medication should
not be discontinued suddenly, especially
if you have coronary artery disease, because
it may increase your heart rate or raise
your blood pressure. |
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Calcium
channel blockers (also called calcium antagonists)
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Common
trade names: Verapamil, Cardizem,
Isoptin, Calan, Procardia, Adalat, Norvasc,
Plendil, DynaCirc |
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These drugs
reduce the constriction (narrowing) of blood
vessels and let blood flow through the vessels
more easily. These medications do not affect
calcium levels in the blood. |
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Advantage:
May also be used for patients who need an
anti-anginal and anti-hypertensive medicine.
No adverse effect on lipids or glucose tolerance. |
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Disadvantages:
Expensive. May cause swollen legs, a drop
in blood pressure when changing position
(from sitting to standing), flushing, headache
and constipation. |
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Diuretics
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Common
trade names: Hydrochlorothiazide,
Microzide, Hygroton, Lozol, Zaroxolyn, Lasix,
Edecrin, Aldactone, Midamore, Bumex, Lozol |
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These drugs
rid the body of excess water and salt and
are sometimes called "water pills."
A major effect is that after taking it,
many patients have frequent urination. Diuretics
decrease the volume of blood the heart has
to pump. |
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Advantage:
Inexpensive. |
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Disadvantages:
Possible decrease in potassium levels, fatigue,
increase plasma lipid levels and/or gout
symptoms. |
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Combination
medications |
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Common
trade names: Maxzide, Corzide, Inderide,
Capozide, Zestoretic, Hyzaar, Lotrel, Lexxel,
Dyazide, Aldactazide, Moduretic, Diupres,
Minizide, Hydropres |
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There are
many anti-hypertensive medications that
use a combination of more than one medication.
An example may include a beta blocker and
a diuretic (Tenoretic). The medications
listed above are some combination medications
which are used in the treatment of hypertension. |
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