Common Blood Pressure Medications

 
Blood pressure medications are just one option to consider when you find out you have a blood pressure problem. The best option, of course, is to lower your blood pressure without medication, through diet and exercise, but this isn't always possible. 

When medications are appropriate, you'll find there are a number of options. Generally, eight different types are used. 

Diuretics, which are often called "water pills" reduce the amount of sodium and water in the body. These must be used carefully because they can be harmful if you take them without needing them. Some examples of diuretics are chlorthalidone/Thalitone, furosemide/Lasix, hydrochlorothiazide/Esidrix and indapamide/Lozol.

Many people use ACE inhibitors. ACE is an acronym for angiotensin-converting enzyme. These medications inhibite, or prevent the body from producing normal levels of a hormone called angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to constrict and blood pressure to rise. ACE inhibitors include benazepril/Lotensin, enalapril/Vasotec, lisinopril/Prinivil or Zestril, quinapril/Accupril, ramipril/Altace and trandolapril/Mavik.

You've probably also heart the term "beta blockers." These the heart beat slower, which reduces the pressure of the blood against the walls of blood vessels. Common beta blockers are include propanolol/Inderal, atenolol/Tenormin, carvedilol/Coreg and metoproplol/Lopressor.

Common blood pressure medications also include ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers), CCBs (calcium channel blockers), alpha blockers, direct vasodilators and drugs which influence the metabolism of the brain and central nervous system.

Side Effects of Blood Pressure Medications

Diuretics may derease the amount of potassium in your body causing, weakness, leg cramps or abnormal fatigue.

Beta blockers may contribute to

• cold hands and feet, fatigue
• depression,
• impotence,
• insomnia,
• slow heartbeat,
• symptoms of asthma.

ACE inhibitors may trigger a chronic dry, hacking cough, skin rash; loss of taste and in extreme cases, kidney damage.

Side effects of other types of blood pressure medication include occasional dizziness, palpitations, swollen ankles, constipation, headache, a faster heart rate, and a drop in blood pressure when you stand up.

It's especially important to follow your doctor's orders when taking blood pressure medications. Never take another person’s prescription thinking that, "if it works for them, it will work for me." Only your doctor can make an appropriate judgment about the right prescription for you.