High blood pressure, which is also called hypertension, affects almost one out of every three adults in the United States, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Several different types of medications are available to treat high blood pressure. Although generally safe and well-tolerated, some blood pressure medications cause side effects. The exact type of side effects depends on the type of medication.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers reduce blood pressure by reducing heart rate, which reduces the amount of blood pushed through the body along with the pressure in the blood vessels. These medications have been linked to side effects of feeling tired or fatigued, nausea, dizziness, headache, depression and symptoms of asthma. Beta-blockers may also cause diarrhea or the opposite side effect of constipation, explains the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In addition, insomnia and persistently cold feet and hands have also been reported.
Diuretics
A common class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure are diuretics, which cause the kidneys to excrete extra water as urine and decrease the volume of blood in the body. Reducing the volume of blood reduces pressure in the blood vessels. Side effects associated with diuretics include dizziness, headache, nausea and frequent urination. These medications may also reduce levels of potassium in the body, which can lead to muscle cramps, weakness and fatigue. Episodes of gout have also been reported after taking diuretics.
For diabetic patients, diuretics may increase blood glucose levels. In rare cases, diuretics have been reported to cause impotence, warns the American Heart Association.
Alpha Blockers
Alpha blockers reduce blood pressure by relaxing the walls of blood vessels. Side effects include an increased heart rate, dizziness and rapid drops in blood pressure after standing up, reports the American Heart Association. Additional side effects, including fatigue, vision problems, swelling of the extremities and decreased sexual ability, have also been reported.
ACE Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors also reduce blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to relax and become wider in diameter. People taking ACE inhibitors have reported side effects of dizziness, fatigue, cough, headache, insomnia and increased heart rate, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The side effects of loss of taste and skin rash have also been reported.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Doctors may also prescribe calcium channel blockers to reduce blood pressure, which act by reducing the strength of heart contractions. Heart palpitations, headache, dizziness, swollen ankles and constipation may result from taking calcium channel blockers, warns the American Heart Association. These medications have also been known to cause nausea and a warm or flushed sensation.
