Various types of medicines are available to treat high blood pressure. They act by different mechanisms to correct the underlying causes of the high blood pressure, including excess fluid in the blood vessels and narrowing of blood vessels. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, more than 65 percent of people with high blood pressure need to take more than one type of these medicines to achieve control.
Diuretics
Diuretics, or water pills, act by eliminating extra sodium and water from the body, which results in less fluid in the blood vessels, which in turn lowers the blood pressure. Several types of diuretics are available, which work by different mechanisms. The thiazide-type diuretics have been shown to be very effective with minimal side effects and are the recommended initial treatment for lowering blood pressure, says the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Examples of thiazide diuretics include chlorthiazide and hydrochlorothiazide.
Beta Blockers
Beta-blockers act by decreasing the heart rate and the amount of work done by the heart so that less blood is pumped by the heart and blood pressure is lowered. Possible side effects include sleeplessness, cold hands and feet, tiredness, depression, asthma-like symptoms and impotence, says the American Heart Association. Examples of commonly used beta blockers include atenolol, metoprolol and timolol. A combination product of bisoprolol and the thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide, is also available as Ziac.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or ACEIs
ACE inhibitors prevent the body from producing angiotensin, a natural substance that causes blood vessels to narrow. As a result, the blood vessels open, blood flows more easily and blood pressure is lowered. According to the American Heart Association, some of the more common side effects of ACE inhibitors include skin rashes, a loss of taste, a chronic hacking cough and, in rare instances, kidney damage. ACE inhibitors include medicines such as benazepril, lisinopril and quinapril.
Angiotensin II Antagonists or ARBs
Angiotensin II antagonists act by preventing the effects of angiotensin, which is a natural substance in the body that causes blood vessels to narrow. The result is that blood vessels can stay open and blood pressure is lowered. A noted potential side effect from these medicines is occasional dizziness, says the American Heart Association. Some examples of ARBs include candesartan, irbesarten, and valsartan.
Calcium Channel Blockers or CCBs
The calcium channel blockers help to lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from going into the muscle of blood vessels, which results in opening of the tightened blood vessels and lowering of blood pressure. Some possible side effects of these medicines are abnormal heart rhythm, fluid in the ankles, constipation, headache, and lightheadedness, reports the American Heart Association. Examples of CCBs include amlodipine, diltiazem and nifedipine.
Other Antihypertensive Medications
Other types of medicines used to lower blood pressure include central agonists, peripheral adrenergic blockers and blood vessel dilators, or vasodilators.
The central agonists act on the nervous system to open narrowed blood vessels. The American Heart Association reports that these medicines may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, fever, anemia and impotence in men. Examples of central agonists include alpha methyldopa and clonidine.
The peripheral adrenergic blockers lower blood pressure by stopping natural chemicals in the brain from sending signals to blood vessels that would cause them to narrow. According to the American Heart Association, some possible side effects of these medicines include stuffy nose, diarrhea and indigestion. Medicines in this category include guanethidine and reserpine.
Blood vessel dilators, or vasodilators, work by relaxing the muscle of blood vessels which allows them to open and blood pressure is lowered. The American Heart Association notes that headaches, swelling of eye area, abnormal heart rhythm, joint pain, weight gain and unwarranted hair growth are possible side effects from these medicines. Examples of blood vessel dilators are Hydralzine and Minoxidil.
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