Blood Pressure Medications: A Comprehensive List

Each blood pressure medicine has a different mechanism. Here is a comprehensive list of blood pressure medications available to manage the condition.

Quick Summary

• Beta-blockers are the most common type of medication used to lower blood pressure. These work by blocking the impact of adrenaline on the heart and lower blood pressure.
• Other common medications used to lower blood pressure include ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. These relax the muscles around the arteries, helping to reduce blood pressure.
• If you have difficulty controlling your blood pressure, focus on lifestyle changes and taking prescribed medication.

High blood pressure is no joke. If you don’t keep it in check, it can lead to some severe health complications. That’s why taking blood pressure medicine as prescribed by your doctor is essential.

If you are one of the millions who take blood pressure medication, read on. We have compiled a list of medications you may ask your doctor to prescribe.

Whether you are looking for ways to cut down on your prescription costs or just want to find better ways to manage your health, keep reading for our top tips on lowering blood pressure with diet and exercise.

Why Should You Always Take Prescribed Medication For Blood Pressure?

There are a few reasons why taking prescribed medication for blood pressure is essential. For one, high blood pressure is a serious condition that may lead to heart attack, stroke, and other health problems.

If your blood pressure is not well controlled with medication, it may become even more dangerous. Many medicines for high blood pressure are available at a low cost but compromise on effectiveness.

So, it’s better to go with the prescribed one instead of self-medication.

Medications For Managing Blood Pressure

Different medications are available for managing blood pressure, each with its working mechanism. It’s important to work closely with your doctor to find the best medication for you and to make sure you’re taking it as prescribed.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

ACE inhibitors block the formation of angiotensin II, a hormone that makes the blood vessels contract and narrow. This lowers blood pressure by relaxing the arteries and improving blood flow.

ACE inhibitors are often the first-line treatment for high blood pressure, and they are also used to treat other conditions, such as heart failure and kidney disease. Side effects of ACE inhibitors can include dizziness, lightheadedness, and dry cough.

Common ACE inhibitors:

• Benazepril hydrochloride
• Captopril
• Enalapril maleate
• Fosinopril sodium
• Lisinopril

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

ARBs work by blocking angiotensin II, a hormone that causes the muscles around the arteries to contract. This action causes the blood pressure to rise. By blocking the action of angiotensin II, ARBs allow the muscles around the arteries to relax.

Hence, this decreases the amount of pressure on the artery walls. This leads to a decrease in blood pressure.

They may be taken with or without food. Some may experience side effects when taking ARBs, such as headache, dizziness, and upset stomach. Apart from this, you may take the best supplements that lower blood pressure if you have high blood pressure.

Common ARBs:

• Candesartan
• Eprosartan mesylate
• Irbesarten
• Losartan potassium

Alpha-blockers

There are a few different types of alpha-blockers, but they all work by relaxing the smooth muscles in your arteries and veins. This causes the blood pressure to drop and makes it easier for the blood to pump

While alpha-blockers can be effective in lowering blood pressure, they can also cause several side effects, including dizziness, headaches, and lightheadedness.

Common alpha-blockers:

• Doxazosin mesylate
• Prazosin hydrochloride
• Terazosin hydrochloride

Alpha-beta-blockers

Alpha-beta blockers can be an effective treatment option for high blood pressure, especially if it’s accompanied by anxiety or stress. These medications work by blocking the action of certain hormones (such as adrenaline) that can cause the heart to beat too fast or too hard.

This can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension-related health problems. Read and learn about the causes and symptoms of hypertension along with all effective treatments.

Common alpha-beta-blockers:

• Carvedilol
• Labetalol

Beta-blockers

This type of medication removes pressure from the heart to beat faster. They work by blocking the effects of the hormone adrenaline, which helps keep blood vessels open and reduces the heart’s workload. This can lead to a drop in blood pressure due to a slower heart rate.

Beta-blockers may sometimes cause side effects such as fatigue, exercise intolerance, and problems with sleep. In some cases, they can also worsen heart failure symptoms. However, for most people, beta-blockers are a safe and effective medication for managing blood pressure.

Common beta-blockers:

• Acebutolol (Sectral)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)
• Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor)
• Pindolol (Visken)
• Solotol (Betapace)

Calcium-channel blockers

Calcium-channel blockers block calcium’s movement into heart muscle cells and artery walls. This relaxes the muscles and lowers blood pressure.

Each drug in this class has a slightly different mechanism of action, so some people might respond better to one drug than another. However, all of the drugs in this class have been known to be effective at lowering blood pressure.

Common calcium-channel blockers:

• Bepridil 
• Isradipine
• Nisoldipine

Central agonists

Central agonists increase the sympathetic nervous system’s activity, which helps constrict blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

These medications can be very effective at lowering blood pressure, but they may also cause many side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches.

Central agonists increase the sympathetic nervous system’s activity, which helps constrict blood vessels and lower blood pressure.

Common central agonists:

• Clonidine 
• Guanfacine

Diuretics

Diuretics for blood pressure work by helping your body get rid of excess sodium and water. They make you pee more. That’s why they’re often called “water pills.” When your body gets rid of these things, it’s easier for your heart to pump blood, lowering your blood pressure.

There are different types of diuretics, and which one is best for you depends on your health and your blood pressure level.

Common diuretics:

• Thiazides (chlorthalidone, chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide)
• Loop diuretic (furosemide, bumetanide)
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, triamterene)

Vasodilators

Each type of vasodilator has its unique mechanism of action, but all of them work by relaxing the muscles in the walls of blood vessels. This causes the vessels to open up wider, which allows more blood to flow through them. This reduces the pressure on the heart and helps to lower blood pressure.

Most people who take vasodilators for high blood pressure find that their symptoms improve significantly within a few weeks or months.

Common vasodilators:

• Hydralazine hydrochloride (Apresoline)
• Minoxidil (Loniten)

Wrapping Up

While high blood pressure can be a serious health concern, medications are available to treat the condition. These medications come in wide varieties, and patients need to understand their differences.

We hope you found this overview helpful and that it will help you make an informed decision to receive the right treatment for you.