Health

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) Medications

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (HYPERTENSION) MEDICATIONS

There are several classes of blood pressure medications in which each class lowers blood pressure in different ways.

DIURETICS

Reduction of sodium and fluid takes place due to diuretics in the body which increases urination. This helps in lowering blood pressure as it lowers the blood volume. Diuretics are mostly used in combination with other high blood pressure medication and can cure mild hypertension issues.  Examples of diuretics include:

• Bumetanide (Bumex)
• Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
• Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
• Ethacrynate (Edecrin)
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Microzide)
• Indapamide (Lozol)
• Methyclothiazide (Enduron)
• Metolazone (Mykroz, Zaroxolyn)
• Torsemide (Demadex)

There are also some combinations of diuretics, which include a potassium-sparing agent and a traditional diuretic. These include amiloride hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ (Moduretic), spironolactone and HCTZ (Aldactazide), and triamterene, and HCTZ (Dyazide, Maxzide).

BETA BLOCKERS

 Intakes of beta-blockers directly help in lowering blood pressure and also reduces heart rate and force of pumping as well as reduce blood volume. Beta-blockers include:

• Acebutolol (Sectral)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta)
• Carvedilol (Coreg) -- Combined alpha/beta-blocker
• Esmilol (Brevibloc)
• Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne) -- Combined alpha/beta-blocker
• Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) and metoprolol succinate (Toprol-XL)
• Nadolol (Corgard)
• Nebivolol (Bystolic)
• Penbutolol sulfate (Levatol)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Sotalol (Betapace)
• HCTZ and bisoprolol (Ziac) is a beta blocker plus diuretic

ACE INHIBITORS

Reduction of angiotensin which is a hormone that causes narrowing of blood vessels in the body is being carried out with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE inhibitors decrease the production of the hormone angiotensin and result in lowering blood pressure. Examples of ACE inhibitors include:

• Benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin)
• Captopril (Capoten)
• Enalapril Maleate (Vasotec)
• Fosinopril sodium (Monopril)
• Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
• Moexipril (Univasc)
• Perindopril (Aceon)
• Quinapril hydrochloride (Accupril)
• Ramipril (Altace)
• Trandolapril (Mavik)

ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS

Prevention of angiotensin from binding with the receptors on the blood vessels is been carried out by Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers. Angiotensin II receptor blockers include:

• Azilsartan (Edarbi)
• Candesartan (Atacand)
• Eprosartan mesylate (Teveten)
• Irbesarten (Avapro)
• Losartin Potassium (Cozaar)
• Olmesartan (Benicar)
• Telmisartan (Micardis)
• Valsartan (Diovan)

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

The increase in the strength and force of contractions in the heart and blood vessels is due to calcium. In order to reduce this effect blocking the entry is needed to smooth muscle tissues. Examples of calcium channel blockers include:

• Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc, Lotrel)
• Clevidipine (Cleviprex)
• Diltiazem hydrochloride (Cardizem CD, Cardizem SR, Dilacor XR, Tiazac)
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Isradipine (DynaCirc, DynaCirc CR)
• Nicardipine (Cardene SR)
• Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)
• Nimodipine (Nimotop, Nymalize)
• Nisoldipine (Sular)
• Verapamil hydrochloride (Calan SR, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Covera HS)

ALPHA BLOCKERS

 Dilation of blood vessels is caused by the Alpha blockers and these medicines are used to treat prostate enlargement in men. Alpha blockers include doxazosin mesylate (Cardura), prazosin hydrochloride (Minipress), and terazosin hydrochloride (Hytrin).

ALPHA-2 RECEPTOR AGONIST

One of the oldest blood pressure medications, introduced some 50 years ago is Methyldopa; formerly known under the brand name Aldomet is considered the first-line of treatment.  It works in the central nervous system to lower blood pressure.

CENTRAL AGONISTS

There are some hypertension medications that work in the central nervous system instead of the cardiovascular system. A central agonist is one of those medications thus has a tendency to cause drowsiness.  Drugs in this class include clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres) and guanfacine hydrochloride (Tenex).

 

VASODILATORS

Relaxation of artery wall muscles is done by Vasodilators and that causes blood pressure to drop. Generally, these drugs are used only in severe hypertension not used alone.  Hydralazine (Apresoline) and minoxidil (Loniten) are vasodilators.

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