According to the National Institutes of Health, the major types of drugs available to control blood pressure include diuretics, beta blockers; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACEIs; angiotensin-receptor blockers, or ARBs; calcium channel blockers, or CCBs; alpha blockers; nervous system inhibitors and vasodilators. These classes are based on the mechanism of action of the drugs in terms of their blood pressure-lowering effect. An overview of the different classes and examples of drugs in each class is presented.
Diuretics
Diuretics, or water pills, lower blood pressure by getting rid of extra sodium and water through the kidneys, resulting in less fluid in the blood vessels and decreased blood pressure, states the American Heart Association. Three kinds of diuretics are available: thiazide, loop and potassium-sparing. Examples of thiazide diuretics include chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, and metolazone. The loop diuretics consist of bumetanide, furosemide and torsemide. Currently marketed potassium-sparing diuretics include amiloride, spironolactone and triamterene. Combination diuretic drugs include amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide, and triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers work to lower blood pressure by reducing heart rate and the amount of blood pumped by the heart, states the American Heart Association. According to MayoClinic.com, examples of commonly used beta-blockers include metoprolol, nadolol and penbutolol. A combination product of the beta-blocker, bisoprolol and the thiazide diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide is also available.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors lower blood pressure by inhibiting the body's production of a natural substance called angiotensin, which results in the opening of blood vessels, blood flowing more easily and reduced blood pressure, notes the American Heart Association. The ACEIs, captopril, lisinopril and ramipril are often prescribed, according to MayoClinic.com.
Angiotensin II Antagonists
Angiotensin II antagonists work to lower blood pressure by preventing the effects of the natural substance angiotensin II, which results in the opening of blood vessels and decreased blood pressure, reports the American Heart Association. MayoClinic.com reports that the commonly prescribed ARBs are losartan, olmesartan and valsartan.
Calcium Channel Blockers
According to the American Heart Association, calcium channel blockers act by preventing calcium from making its way into the muscles of the blood vessels and the heart, which results in the opening of blood vessels, lowered heart rate and reduced blood pressure. Examples of common CCBs are amlodipine, diltiazem and nifedipine, notes MayoClinic.com.
Other Antihypertensive Drugs
Additional drugs used to control blood pressure include alpha-blockers, medications acting on the nervous system, and vasodilators, states the American Heart Association. Alpha blockers relax the muscle of blood vessels by inhibiting the natural substance, norepinephrine from tightening smaller arteries and veins, thereby allowing blood vessels to open more, and lowering blood pressure, notes the American Heart Association. Examples of alpha blocker drugs are doxazosin, prazosin, and terazosin. According to the American Heart Association, the peripheral adrenergic blockers lower blood pressure by stopping natural chemicals in the brain from tightening blood vessels, which opens blood vessels and reduces blood pressure. Drugs of this type include alpha methyldopa, clonidine, reserpine and guanfacine. Vasodilators directly relax the muscles of the blood vessels, which allows them to open and blood pressure is lowered, explains the American Heart Association. Examples of blood vessel dilators are hydralazine and minoxidil.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Types of Blood Pressure Medications
- American Heart Association: Types of Blood Pressure Medications
- The Mayo Clinic: Choosing Blood Pressure Medications
- National Institutes of Health: The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure
