Blood pressure lowering drugs are normally used when exercise and diet has failed to lower your blood pressure to a satisfactory level or to regulate your pressure while you are making the necessary changes to your lifestyle to produce the desired results.
The range of blood pressure lowering drugs available today is almost unbelievable and, as a lot of the presently available drugs are often used in combination, choosing the right medication or combination of medicines gives your physician something of a headache. However, here is a general overview of the different groups of blood pressure lowering medications presently in common use.
Diuretics
The first line of attack for reasonably mild cases of high blood pressure are diuretics which are designed to remove excess fluid from the body and, more importantly as far as blood pressure is concerned, to lower salt levels.
Commonly used diuretics include Midamor, Bumex, Hygroton, Diuril, Hydrodiuril, Lasix, Esidrix, Lozol and Aldactone.
A number of diuretic lower potassium levels in the body and may lead to tiredness, weakness and leg crfamoing. This can often be effectively countered by adding foods which contain potassium to your meals or by taking potassium supplements in either liquid or tablet form. Diuretics can also result in an increase in blood sugar levels and a change of drug or changes to diet, insulin or oral anti-diabetic medication might be necessary in the case of diabetics.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors act to widen the blood vessels and thus reduce resistance and pressure in these vessels. Consequently the heart does not need to work as much to push blood throughout the body.
Commonly used ACE inhibitors include Lotensin, Monopril, Altace, Univasc, Vasotec, Aceon, Accupril, Capoten, Mavik, Prinivil and Zestril.
ACE inhibitors might cause a chronic dry cough, a loss of taste and in very rare cases kidney damage.
AT-2 Receptor Antagonists
Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor antagonists work in a similar manner to ACE inhibitors but they have the benefit for many individuals of not leading to the dry cough often experienced when taking ACE inhibitors.
Frequently used AT-2 receptor antagonists include Atacand, Avapro, Cozaar, Micardis and Teveten.
There are usually very few side effects seen with AT-2 receptor antagonists although in some individuals they may produce sporadic dizziness.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers act to lower blood pressure by decreasing both the heart rate and output.
Frequently used beta blockers include Sectral, Blocadren, Corgard, Tenormin, Zebeta, Lopressor, Kerlone, Toprol XL, Cartrol, Inderal, Betapace and Ziac.
A number of beta blockers may cause insomnia, the symptoms of asthma, cold hands and feet, tiredness, depression and in very rare cases can result in impotence.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers assist in lowering blood pressure by impeding the flow of calcium into the heart and blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers include what is generally agreed to be the world's most popular blood pressure medication - Norvasc.
Other commonly used calcium blockers include Lotrel, Sular, Calan, Isoptin, Tiazac, Cardizem, Plendil, Vascor, Nimotop, Procardia, Adalat and Verelan.
Side effects differ considerably from one calcium blocker to the next but some commonly experienced side effects are headache, dizziness, constipation, palpitations and swollen ankles.
As you can see there is a very large number of drugs available to lower blood pressure and when you take into account that these are often used together by combining say ACE inhibitors and diuretics, ACE inhibitors and calcium blockers or AT-2 receptor antagonists and diuretics then the range of treatments available is truly enormous.
On the one hand of course this is good news because it means that doctors can tailor treatment to the specific needs of each individual. However, on the other hand it also makes choosing the right treatment somewhat difficult.
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