Editorial Health Conditions10 Hypertension Medications to Know and How They Work

10 Hypertension Medications to Know and How They Work

Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, is one of the most widespread chronic conditions worldwide. It often develops without noticeable symptoms, yet it significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and heart failure when left untreated. The good news is that hypertension is highly manageable with the right combination of lifestyle changes and prescription medications.

Understanding hypertension and treatment goals

Blood pressure measures the force of blood against artery walls. Hypertension occurs when this pressure remains elevated over time. Even modest increases can damage blood vessels and organs.

Treatment goals usually include:

Lowering systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Reducing the risk of cardiovascular events.
Protecting kidney and vascular health.
Improving long term quality of life.

Many people require more than one medication to achieve control. Doctors tailor therapy based on age, race, underlying conditions, and response to treatment. Cost and access also matter, and savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications across many drug classes.

Main types of blood pressure medications

Hypertension medications fall into several well established categories. Each class lowers blood pressure in a different way, which is why combination therapy is common.

Major antihypertensive drug classes include:

ACE inhibitors.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers, also called ARBs.
Calcium channel blockers.
Beta blockers.
Diuretics.
Alpha blockers.
Central acting agents.
Vasodilators.
Combination medications.

Understanding these categories helps explain why certain drugs are chosen.

ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure

ACE inhibitors relax blood vessels by blocking the enzyme that produces angiotensin II, a hormone that narrows arteries.

Common ACE inhibitors include:

Lisinopril, sold as Zestril and Qbrelis.
Enalapril, sold as Vasotec and Epaned.
Quinapril, sold as Accupril.
Ramipril, sold as Altace.
Benazepril, sold as Lotensin.
Captopril, sold as Capoten.
Fosinopril, sold as Monopril.
Moexipril, sold as Univasc.
Perindopril, sold as Aceon.
Trandolapril, sold as Mavik.

Combination products such as Accuretic (quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide), Vaseretic (enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide), and Zestoretic (lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide) combine an ACE inhibitor with a diuretic for stronger blood pressure control.

ACE inhibitors are often first line therapy, particularly for people with diabetes or kidney disease. Savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications like lisinopril, quinapril, and ramipril.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

ARBs block the action of angiotensin II at its receptor unlike ACE inhibitors where they block the enzyme that makes angiotensin II. This minute difference in mechanism produce similar outcomes however eliminates a key side effect, cough. ARBs offer the same benefits to ACE inhibitors and are often used when ACE inhibitors cause cough.

Common ARBs include:

Losartan, sold as Cozaar.
Valsartan, sold as Diovan.
Irbesartan, sold as Avapro.
Olmesartan, sold as Benicar.
Candesartan, sold as Atacand.
Azilsartan, sold as Edarbi

Combination products include Hyzaar (losartan and hydrochlorothiazide), Avalide (irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide), Edarbyclor (azilsartan and chlorthalidone), Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan), Tribenzor (olmesartan, amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide), and Prestalia (perindopril and amlodipine).

ARBs are widely prescribed and generally well tolerated. Savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications such as losartan and valsartan.

Calcium channel blockers

Calcium channel blockers reduce the movement of calcium into heart and blood vessel muscle cells, allowing arteries to relax.

Common calcium channel blockers include:

Amlodipine, also known as Norvasc.
Nicardipine, also known as Cardene.
Nifedipine, also known as Procardia and Adalat.
Felodipine, also known as Plendil.
Nimodipine, also known as Nymalize.
Nisoldipine, also known as Sular.
Diltiazem formulations such as Tiazac, Cartia XT, Matzim LA, Dilacor XR.
Verapamil formulations such as Calan (SR), Isoptin (SR), Verelan.
Norliqva and Katerzia, a liquid amlodipine.

Combination medications such as Caduet (amlodipine and atorvastatin), Azor (amlodipine and olmesartan), Lotrel (amlodipine and benazepril), and Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan) pair calcium channel blockers with statins or ARBs.

These medications are effective across diverse patient groups. Savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications like amlodipine and Norvasc.

Beta blockers for blood pressure control

Beta blockers lower blood pressure by slowing the heart rate and reducing the force of heart contractions.

Common beta blockers include:

Atenolol, sold as Tenormin.
Metoprolol, sold as Lopressor.
Metoprolol succinate (ER formula), sold as Toprol XL.
Carvedilol, sold as Coreg.
Nebivolol, sold as Bystolic.
Bisoprolol, sold as Zebeta.
Labetalol, sold as Trandate and Normodyne.
Nadolol, sold as Corgard.
Betaxolol, sold as Kerlone.
Pindolol, sold as Visken.

Combination products such as Ziac (bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide) and Dutoprol (metoprolol succinate and hydrochlorothiazide) pair beta blockers with diuretics.

Beta blockers are often prescribed when hypertension coexists with heart disease or arrhythmias. savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications like atenolol, carvedilol, and nebivolol.

Diuretics for hypertension

Diuretics help the kidneys remove excess sodium and water, lowering blood volume and pressure.

Common diuretics include:

Hydrochlorothiazide, also known as Microzide/Hydrodiuril/Esidrix/Oretic.
Chlorthalidone, also sold as Thalitone.
Indapamide, also sold as Lozol.
Chlorothiazide, sold as Diuril.
Furosemide, sold as Lasix and Furocix.
Torsemide, sold as Demadex and Soaanz.
Metolazone, sold as Zaroxolyn/Mykrox/Diulo.
Amiloride, sold as Midamor.
Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide, sold as Maxzide (tablets) and Dyazide (capsules).
Spironolactone, sold as Aldactone.
Eplerenone, sold as Inspra. Used to treat patients with high blood pressure and heart failure who may have experienced side effects using spironolactone (gynecomastia).

Diuretics are frequently used as first line therapy or in combination with other medications. savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications like hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone.

Alpha blockers and central acting agents

Alpha blockers relax blood vessels by blocking alpha receptors.

Common alpha blockers include:

Doxazosin, sold as Cardura.
Terazosin, sold as Hytrin.
Prazosin, sold as Minipress.
Phenoxybenzamine, sold as Dibenzyline.

Central acting agents reduce nerve signals that raise blood pressure.

Examples include:

Clonidine, sold as Catapres and Kapvay (ER formula).
Guanfacine, sold as Tenex.
Guanabenz, sold as Wytensin.

These medications are often reserved for resistant hypertension or specific clinical situations.

Vasodilators and other antihypertensive options

Vasodilators directly relax blood vessel walls.

Examples include:

Hydralazine, sold as Apresoline.
Minoxidil, sold as Loniten.

Other important medications include:

Aliskiren, sold as Tekturna, a direct renin inhibitor.
Sildenafil and tadalafil PAH formulations such as Revatio, Adcirca, Alyq, Tadliq, and Tadalafil PAH, mainly for pulmonary hypertension.
Ambrisentan, Letairis Opsumit, Tracleer, Uptravi, and Tryvio for specialized pulmonary hypertension treatment.

Savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications across these advanced therapies.

20 commonly prescribed hypertension medications

Lisinopril.
Losartan.
Amlodipine.
Valsartan.
Hydrochlorothiazide.
Chlorthalidone.
Atenolol.
Metoprolol.
Carvedilol.
Nebivolol.
Enalapril.
Ramipril.
Benazepril.
Irbesartan.
Olmesartan.
Candesartan.
Clonidine.
Doxazosin.
Hydralazine.
Furosemide.

These medications span multiple drug classes and are often used together for optimal control.

Common Hypertension Medications by

Drug Class	Examples	How They Work	Typical Use
ACE inhibitors	Lisinopril, Enalapril, Quinapril, Ramipril	Block angiotensin II production	First line therapy
ARBs	Losartan, Valsartan, Irbesartan, Olmesartan	Block angiotensin II receptors	ACE inhibitor alternative
Calcium channel blockers	Amlodipine, Nifedipine, Diltiazem	Relax blood vessel muscles	Broad patient use
Beta blockers	Atenolol, Carvedilol, Metoprolol	Slow heart rate and reduce force of contraction	Heart related conditions
Diuretics	Hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, chlorthalidone, spironolactone	Remove excess fluid and sodium	Combination therapy
Alpha blockers	Doxazosin, Terazosin	Relax blood vessels	Resistant hypertension

Savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications across all of these categories.

Blood pressure medication side effects and safety

Most hypertension medications are safe when taken as prescribed, but side effects can occur.

Common side effects include:

Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Increased urination with diuretics.
Swelling in the legs with some calcium channel blockers.
Fatigue or slow heart rate with beta blockers.
Dry cough with ACE inhibitors.

Doctors monitor blood pressure, kidney function, and electrolytes to ensure safety and adjust treatment if needed.

How to choose blood pressure medication

There is no single best medication for everyone. Doctors consider:

Severity of blood pressure elevation.
Age and overall health.
Kidney, heart, or metabolic conditions.
Potential drug interactions.
Cost and insurance coverage.

Many patients benefit from combination therapy. savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications, making adherence easier and more consistent.

Frequently asked questions about hypertension medications

What are the different types of hypertension medications?

They include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, alpha blockers, and others.

What is the safest medication for high blood pressure?

Safety depends on the individual and their health condition. ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and calcium channel blockers are commonly well tolerated long term.

What is the most effective medication for hypertension?

Combination therapy is often the most effective approach however each individual is unique dependent on their health status and disease state.

How can I lower the cost of blood pressure medications?

Using savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications and improve access to treatment.

Hypertensions medications

Hypertension is a manageable condition with the right treatment plan. From widely prescribed medications like lisinopril, losartan, amlodipine, valsartan, hydrochlorothiazide, atenolol, carvedilol, and chlorthalidone to combination therapies such as Accuretic, Hyzaar, Lotrel, Exforge, Tribenzor, Prestalia, Zestoretic, and Ziac, there are many effective options.

Specialized treatments such as Tekturna, Inspra, hydralazine, minoxidil, and pulmonary hypertension therapies expand care for complex cases. Affordability remains critical for long term success. savehealth.com can help people save money on Hypertensions medications, supporting better blood pressure control and improved heart health.

References