Types Of Blood Pressure Medicines
There are four main types of medicine to lower blood pressure.
- . ACE inhibitors help to control hormones that play a role in blood pressure control. They help the blood vessels to relax and widen, lowering blood pressure. Most have names that end in pril, for example, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and Ramipril.
- . These work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors, controlling the hormones that affect blood pressure, so you probably wont take ACE inhibitors and ARBs at the same time. Theyre usually used if ACE inhibitors are causing side effects. Most have names that end in artan, for example, candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan and olmesartan.
- . These allow the artery walls to relax, making them wider. This allows more blood to pass through, lowering blood pressure. Most have names that end in pine , for example, amlodipine, felodipine and nifedipine.
- . These are sometimes known as water pills because they remove excess fluid from the body, including from the blood. This means there is less pressure on the blood vessel walls. Most have names that end in ide, for example, indapamide and bendroflumethiazide.
Sometimes these medications wont be suitable, for example if youre pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have certain other health problems, or youre taking other medications which could react with them.
Alternatively, you might need to take another type of medication as well to lower your blood pressure enough.
The other medications available include:
What Are Warnings And Precautions For Lisinopril
Warnings
- Discontinue as soon as possible when pregnancy is detected affects renin-angiotensin system causing oligohydramnios, which may result in fetal injury and/or death
- This medication contains lisinopril. Do not take Zestoretic if you are allergic to lisinopril or any ingredients contained in this drug
- Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately
Contraindications
- Hypersensitive to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, thiazides or sulfonamides
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors induced rapid edema , hereditary or idiopathic
- Kidney failure or kidney stenosis
Do not co-administer with aliskiren in patients with diabetes mellitus or with kidney impairment .
Effects of Drug Abuse
Short-Term Effects
- Rapid swelling of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis, and larynx has been reported in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. If laryngeal stridor or rapid swelling of the face, tongue, or glottis occurs discontinue therapy and institute appropriate therapy immediately.
- See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Lisinopril?
Long-Term Effects
- See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Lisinopril?
Cautions
Pregnancy and Lactation
- Use lisinopril in pregnancy only in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug is available. There is evidence of human fetal risk.
- If breastfeeding, discontinue lisinopril or do not nurse
Treating For Multiple Conditions
The type of blood pressure medication your doctor prescribes may depend on what other health problems you have. For example, if you have coronary artery disease and high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe a beta-blocker. If you have had a myocardial infarction due to CAD, a beta-blocker can lower your blood pressure and decrease your overall risk of death.
If you have diabetes, your doctor may choose an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. Thats because these drugs can help protect the kidneys from diabetic damage by lowering the blood pressure in your kidneys.
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Classes Of Blood Pressure Medications
There 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:
The Seventh Report Of The Joint National Committee On Prevention Detection Evaluation And Treatment Of High Blood Pressure
| Usual Dose Range in mg/Day | Usual Daily Frequency* |
|---|---|
| metoprolol extended release | 50100 |
| BBs with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity | acebutolol |
| diltiazem extended release | 180420 |
| diltiazem extended release | 120540 |
| verapamil immediate release | 80320 |
| verapamil long acting | 120480 |
| verapamil | 120360 |
| nicardipine sustained release | 60120 |
| nifedipine long-acting | 3060 |
| Central alpha-2 agonists and other centrally acting drugs | clonidine |
| 12 |
-
ACEIs, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors BBs, beta blockers CCBs, calcium channel blockers
-
*In some patients treated once daily, the antihypertensive effect may diminish toward the end of the dosing interval . BP should be measured just prior to dosing to determine if satisfactory BP control is obtained. Accordingly, an increase in dosage or frequency may need to be considered. These dosages may vary from those listed in the Physician’s Desk Reference .
-
Available now or becoming available soon in generic preparations.
-
Physician’s Desk Reference. 57th ed. Montvale, NJ: Thompson PDR, 2003.
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What Are Side Effects Associated With Using Hydrochlorothiazide
Common side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide include:
Serious side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide include:
- swelling in the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
- yellowing of the skin or eyes,
- unusual bleeding ,
- shortness of breath,
Rare side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What Is Normal Blood Pressure For Men
Your blood pressure is represented by 2 numbers your systolic and diastolic pressures. While those numbers change during the day, both are important. The first number, the systolic pressure, measures pressure while the heart is pumping blood. The second number, the diastolic pressure, measures pressure between heartbeats when your heart is resting.
You want your blood pressure to be at 120/80 or lower.
High blood pressure occurs when your blood is pushing too hard inside your arteries. This can damage arteries and blood vessels, making your arteries weak and thin over time. Having high blood pressure for too long can lead to heart attacks and strokes, and can damage your internal organs.
Before 55, men have a higher likelihood of having high blood pressure than women. Regular checkups are crucial to catching high blood pressure before its a real problem.
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Are Blood Pressure Medications Right For You
When youre first diagnosed with high blood pressure you might not need to take medications. Your doctor or nurse might suggest you make healthy changes to your lifestyle first, which could be enough to lower your blood pressure to a healthy level, but if thats not enough on its own, they may suggest you take medications as well.
The role of blood pressure medicines is to lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. So, whether you would benefit from them depends not only on your blood pressure, but on your overall health and risk of disease. Your doctor will consider a number of things, including:
- your age, ethnicity, family history and lifestyle
- any which raise your risk of heart attack or stroke, such as high cholesterol, being overweight, diabetes, kidney problems and diseases of the blood vessels such as coronary heart disease
- if members of your family have high blood pressure, strokes or heart attacks, or have done in the past
- any other illnesses you may have and medications youre taking, and any side effects
How high does your blood pressure need to be before starting medications?Your doctor will consider your when deciding whether to prescribe medications.
Your doctor will want to bring your blood pressure down to a target level, for example around 140/90mmHg.
Combination Drugs For Hypertension
Several clinical trials have been conducted that offer substantial guidance in choosing appropriate combination therapy for hypertension.
The best scientific evidence suggests that clinical outcomes are most improved with combination therapy when a long-acting calcium channel blocker is used together with an ACE inhibitor or an ARB. So, today most healthcare providers will try this combination first.
If the blood pressure remains elevated with combination therapy using a calcium channel blocker plus an ACE inhibitor or ARB drug, a thiazide drug will usually be added as a third drug. And if this combination still fails to control the blood pressure, a fourth drug may be added.
The vast majority of patients with hypertension will achieve successful therapy long before a third or fourth drug needs to be considered. The rare individual who fails to respond adequately to this kind of combination therapy should be referred to a hypertension specialist.
Numerous combination drugs have been marketed for hypertension, and it is almost impossible to keep track of new ones that come along, or old ones that fade away.
The following list includes most of the commonly prescribed combination drugs used for hypertension:
- Dyazide, also sold as Maxide
Interestingly, research has found that combining anti-hypertensive drugs has a significantly greater effect on lowering a person’s blood pressure than simply doubling the dose of a single agent.
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How Long Is Medication Needed For
In most cases, medication is needed for life. However, in some people whose blood pressure has been well controlled for three years or more, medication may be able to be stopped. In particular, this may be possible for people who have made significant changes to lifestyle . Your doctor can advise you.
If you stop medication, you should have regular blood pressure checks. In some cases the blood pressure remains normal. However, in others it starts to rise again. If this happens, medication can then be started again.
Tips On How To Take Your Blood Pressure Medicine
- Take your medicine regularly. Get into a routine and take your pills at the same time every day, to help you remember to take them. Try using a pillbox marked with the days of the week and fill it at the beginning of each week to make it easier to remember.
- Don’t let your supply run out. Get your prescription before you run out and make sure you have enough for weekends, public holidays and when you are away on holiday.
- If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take 2 doses to make up for the dose you missed.
- Don’t stop taking your blood pressure medicine suddenly. If you feel unwell or have any side effects, tell your healthcare provider.
- Check with your healthcare provider before starting any new medicines or supplements. Blood pressure medicines can interact with other medicines and herbal supplements.
- Be careful taking anti-inflammatories while you are on blood pressure medicines. This includes ibuprofen and diclofenac .
| Avoid taking these medicines together |
| AVOID anti-inflammatories if you are taking ACE inhibitors AND diuretics, OR ARBs AND diuretics. Taking them together can damage your kidneys. Read more about anti-inflammatories and blood pressure medicines. |
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High Blood Pressure Drug Treatment Plans
For most people, the first-choice medication for high blood pressure is a thiazide diuretic. For other people, a diuretic alone is not enough to control blood pressure. In these cases, a diuretic may be combined with a beta-blocker, ACE inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker, or calcium channel blocker. Adding a second medication may lower your blood pressure more quickly than using a diuretic alone. Also, it allows you to take less of each medication, which may reduce side effects.
How Do Blood Pressure Medicines Work
Blood pressure medicines can work several different ways. Blood pressure medicines can keep blood pressure at a healthy level by1:
- Causing your body to get rid of water, which decreases the amount of water and salt in your body to a healthy level
- Relaxing your blood vessels
- Making your heart beat with less force
- Blocking nerve activity that can restrict your blood vessels
Talk with your health care team about the best type of treatment for you. You may need to take more than one type of medicine to control your blood pressure. You can also talk to your health care team about how long it should take your blood pressure medicine to work.
It is important to take your blood pressure medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Do not stop taking your current medicine without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first. Stopping your blood pressure medicine without first talking to your health care team could lead to serious health consequences.
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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.
What Other Drugs Interact With Amlodipine
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.
Severe Interactions of amlodipine include:
Amlodipine moderate interactions with at leas 92 different drugs.
Amlodipine moderate interactions with at leas 100 different drugs.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.
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High Blood Pressure In Older People
The target blood pressure reading for the over-80s is below 150/90 mmHg when it’s measured in the clinic or surgery, and below 145/85 mmHg for home readings.
While there are definite benefits from taking medicines to reduce blood pressure if you’re under the age of 80, it’s less clear it’s useful if you’re over 80.
It’s now thought that if you reach 80 while you’re taking medicine for high blood pressure, it’s fine to continue treatment provided it’s still helping you and is not causing side effects.
If you’re diagnosed with high blood pressure and you’re aged over 80, your doctor will also consider your other health risk factors when deciding whether to give you treatment for the high blood pressure.
Page last reviewed: 23 October 2019 Next review due: 23 October 2022
Common Types Of Blood Pressure Medications
Alto Pharmacy
High blood pressure, which affects nearly half of all U.S. adults, occurs when the force of the blood flowing through your arteries is consistently too high, forcing the heart to work harder. Over time, high blood pressure can damage major organs including the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes and lead to life-threatening issues like heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
With effective treatment, including both heart-healthy lifestyle habits and prescription blood pressure medications, you can control your blood pressure and live an active life. There are a variety of blood pressure medications, and it may take some time for you and your doctor to determine the best treatment for your needs. The good news is that with so many available and effective medications, youre likely to find one thats right for you. Read on to learn more about the most common classes of blood pressure medications and their side effects.
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How Is High Blood Pressure Diagnosed
It is not uncommon for your blood pressure to go high occasionally however, it is persistently high blood pressure that is a concern. For this reason, if a doctor or nurse takes your blood pressure and it is high but you dont have any risk factors or symptoms, then at least two other separate measurements should be taken before you are diagnosed with high blood pressure.
Before getting your blood pressure taken you should avoid the following for at least an hour before the measurement:
- Strenuous exercise
- Stressful situations.
Sit down for at least five minutes before the reading is taken and dont talk while it is being measured.
Other tests may be ordered if your doctor concludes you have high blood pressure. These may include blood tests, an electrocardiogram, and sometimes a chest x-ray.
What Are The Side Effects Of Blood Pressure Medicines
Most of the time, blood pressure medicines do not cause side effects. Some people have mild side effects, including dizziness, headaches, swelling in the legs or feet, or stomach problems.2
Some over-the-counter medicines, such as nasal decongestants, can also raise blood pressure and interact with blood pressure medicines.3 Tell your doctor about any medicines or supplements you are already taking.
All medicines have risks. Talk with your doctor about the best blood pressure medicines for you, their benefits, risks, and side effects, and any other health problems you may have.
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The Most Commonly Used Hypertension Medications And Drug Combinations
There are many commonly used treatments for high blood pressure , which means that no single drug works the same or “best” for everyone.
The wide range of high blood pressure medications to choose from also means that, as long as you and your healthcare provider are patient and persistent, it is extremely likely you’ll find an effective and well-tolerated treatment regimen.