High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects one in three adults in the United States, according to The American Heart Association. Lowering blood pressure can help to prevent and treat complications that may arise from uncontrolled hypertension, reports LifeClinic.com. Several classes of drugs are used to treat high blood pressure. Drugs within the same class have similar modes of action.
Diuretics
The three types of diuretics are thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics and potassium sparing diuretics, according to Merck.com. These medications cause a decrease in the volume of plasma, thereby reducing the pressure within the blood vessels. The thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, are the most commonly used type of diuretics, states Merck.com.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers lower blood pressure by preventing epinephrine and norepinephrine from binding to receptor sites. This results in a reduction in heart rate and in the heart's ability to contract, explains CVpharmacology.com. Some examples of beta blockers are acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol and metoprolol.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels, causing a reduction in total peripheral resistance, or TPR, according to Merck.com. Some examples of these medications are verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE inhibitors, work to lower blood pressure by reducing constriction in the vessels. This allows the vessels a greater degree of relaxation, according to Drugs.com. Examples of drugs in this class are; lisinopril, benazepril, ramipril, perindopril enalapril and captopril, according to Drugs.com.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Commonly referred to as ARBs, this class of drugs promotes dilation of blood vessels by reducing the activity of angiotensin II, a potent constrictor of the vessels, reports RxList.com. Atacand, teveten, benicar, avapro and cozaar are examples of ARB medications, according to RxList.com.
Direct Renin Inhibitors
Aliskiren is the name of the drug in this class, according to Merck.com. It lowers blood pressure by decreasing blood levels of angiotensin I, ultimately resulting in dilation of the vessels.
Andrenergic Modifiers
This class of medicines lowers blood pressure by reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, explains Merck.com. Examples of adrenergic modifiers include, clonidine, methyldopa, reserpine, guanabenz and guanfacine.
Vasodilators
Vasodilators lower blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscle in the blood vessel walls, thereby dilating the vessels, according to CVpharmacology.com. Drugs in this class are minoxidil and hydralazine, states Merck.com
