There are many types of medicines available to help lower your blood pressure. It is important to take your blood pressure medication as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Show
If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are many types of hypertension medications available to help keep your blood pressure in check. You may need to take more than one type of medicine to keep your condition under control. It is important to take your blood pressure
medicine as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Otherwise, the medicine may not work, cause undesired side effects, or result in harm to your body. Related: Eating to Lower Blood Pressure Common Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) MedicationThese are some common groups of high blood pressure medicines: • Diuretics get rid of excess water and salt (sodium) from the body • Beta blockers reduce heart rate and the heart’s output of blood • Calcium channel blockerskeep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and dilate • Alpha blockers work on the nervous system to dilate the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily • Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of a
substance called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to constrict • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (usually known as ARBs) block the action of angiotensin II at the blood vessel walls and thereby prevent the constriction of blood vessels • Vasodilators open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls Things to Note When Taking Hypertension Medication• Know the names and doses of the medicines you are taking • Take it reglarly as directed by your doctor • Never stop taking the medicine even if you feel better. It helps to lower your blood pressure and keeps it under control, which in turn helps to prevent other complications like stroke and heart attack. You may need to take the medicines for life • Ask for the doctor’s or pharmacist’s advice before crushing or splitting tablets; some should only be swallowed whole • Avoid taking alcohol • Check with your doctor or pharmacist if there is any food or other medicines that you need to avoid while taking this medicine • Take the medicine before or after food as indicated on the label, or according to the doctor’s or pharmacist’s instructions • Never take someone else’s prescribed medicine or share yours with someone else • Inform the doctor if you are pregnant, intend to become pregnant or are breastfeeding • Like all medicines, some people may be allergic to hypertension medicine. If you develop rashes, difficulty in breathing or swallowing after taking the medicine, stop medicating and seek medical attention immediately Related: Guidelines on Taking Medicine Tips to Help Take Hypertension Medication on ScheduleTake your medicine at the same time each day so that it becomes a habit. If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double the dosage on your own. How to Store Blood Pressure MedicationFollow any specific instructions for the storage of your medicines (e.g. some medicines require refrigeration, others do not). Unless instructed otherwise, store your medicines in a cool, dry place and protect them from moisture, heat and direct sunlight. Store medicine in the original labelled container. Do not keep different types of medicine together in one container. Read these next:
— Written By Sarah Lewis, PharmD Updated on October 19, 2022 Antihypertensives work in several ways to help lower blood pressure in your body. Common classes of blood pressure medications include ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and diuretics. If your doctor diagnoses high blood pressure, you will probably need to make some lifestyle changes. However, taking medication for consistent blood pressure control is also a vital part of your treatment. This article looks at some commonly prescribed high blood pressure medications, classes of medications, and frequently asked questions about treating blood pressure. About high blood pressureMaskot/Getty Images If you have high blood pressure, you are one of about 116 million people in the United States who also have it. However, many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because there are usually no obvious symptoms. Over time, the condition can lead to life threatening complications — such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke — without producing any warning signs. This is why high blood pressure gets the name “silent killer.” The only way to know your blood pressure is to measure it. Getting a blood pressure reading is a common procedure during a doctor’s visit. You can also measure your blood pressure at a pharmacy or at home with a blood pressure monitor. Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Blood pressure that is consistently above normal may indicate high blood pressure. Learn more with this guide to high blood pressure. Top 10 high blood pressure medicationsDrugs that treat high blood pressure are known as antihypertensives. Blood pressure medications work by:
There are several classes of antihypertensive medications, and each class includes several drug options. Your doctor will work with you to find the best treatment plan. The following list provides the top 10 blood pressure medications by prescriptions written. The list includes a brief description of each drug, including its class, how to take it, and what it treats. The next section provides more information on drug classes. The most common high blood pressure medications by total prescriptions written include:
Classes of blood pressure medicationsThere are many classes of antihypertensive medications and many drugs within each class. This results in a large number of drugs that doctors can use to treat high blood pressure. To assist doctors in choosing the best treatment, they typically follow guidelines and recommendations from experts in this medical field. Some commonly prescribed classes of antihypertensive medications include:
Frequently asked questionsThe following sections answer some frequently asked questions about the treatment of high blood pressure. Which blood pressure medication is first-line therapy?There are several classes of drugs that are first-line therapy for high blood pressure. These include thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers. How do doctors decide on the best blood pressure medication?When choosing from these classes, your doctor will consider many factors, including your other health conditions and your race. For example, African American people seem to benefit most from starting treatment with a thiazide diuretic or a calcium channel blocker, studies suggest. However, someone with diabetes may benefit more from using an ACE inhibitor. What is the target blood pressure when you start taking medication?In general, the goal of taking high blood pressure medication is to lower your blood pressure to less than 130/80 mm Hg. Your doctor may adjust this goal depending on your age and other medical conditions. How do doctors know if the high blood pressure medication is working?After starting treatment, your doctor will regularly monitor your blood pressure. It may be necessary for them to adjust the dosage, change drugs, or add a second drug to control your blood pressure. Your doctor can choose a second drug from any of the first-line classes. In some cases, they may need to consider another antihypertensive class, such as a beta-blocker. What are the most common side effects of high blood pressure medications?Side effects vary with the class of high blood pressure medication. In general, when you lower your blood pressure, side effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness are possible. Some classes have very specific side effects. For example, diuretics can increase urination, while ACE inhibitors can cause a dry cough. If you notice any new or unusual symptoms after starting a new medication, contact your doctor. SummaryThere are many options available for treating high blood pressure. If you are experiencing side effects or are otherwise unhappy with your current medication, talk with your doctor. It may be possible to try a different drug and get better results. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits can also help lower blood pressure. For example, doctors tend to prescribe regular physical activity and a low salt diet to complement the effect of your blood pressure medication. Learn more about when to contact a doctor for high blood pressure here. What blood pressure medications has a diuretic?Diuretics. What is the most common diuretic for hypertension?Thiazides are the most commonly used diuretic agents in the treatment of hypertension. They are recommended as the first line therapy in mild to moderate hypertension in many patients, particularly elderly and black patients.
Does blood pressure medicine contain a diuretic?These blood pressure medications are known as "potassium-sparing" diuretics. They include amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium). Finally, there are combination diuretics, which include a potassium-sparing agent and a traditional diuretic.
What is the most common diuretic prescribed?Thiazides are the most commonly prescribed diuretics. They're most often used to treat high blood pressure.. chlorthalidone.. hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide). metolazone.. indapamide.. |