The medicines below are used to treat hypertension. Only the most basic problems are listed. Use each of them as your doctor tells you. If you have any questions or can’t follow the package instructions, call your doctor. You may need to take more than one type. This is because they work in different ways.
Blood pressure (BP) medicines must be taken daily. If you have problems because of the medicines, let your doctor know. Don't stop taking them on your own.
Taking medicines as advised is vital to controlling your BP. This will lower the chances of other health problems.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Centrally-acting nervous system drugs
Common names:
Diuretics help the kidneys get rid of excess water in the body. This will make you pass urine more often. This lowers the pressure inside the blood vessels.
Possible side effects:
Common names:
Beta-blockers lessen the workload of the heart. Less force from the heart will lead to lower BP.
Possible side effects:
Beta-blockers may not be the first type of medicines your doctor has you take.
Common names:
ACE inhibitors relax blood vessels. Less force from the heart will lead to lower BP.
Possible side effects:
Common names:
ARBs relax blood vessels. Less force from the heart will lead to lower BP.
Possible side effects:
Common names:
Calcium channel blockers relax the blood vessels.
Possible side effects:
Common names:
Alpha blockers lower BP by lowering nerve impulses to the blood vessels. This relaxes the blood vessels.
Possible side effects:
Common names:
Alpha-beta blockers lower BP relaxing blood vessels.
Possible side effects:
Common names:
These medicines lower BP by relaxing blood vessels.
Possible side effects:
Common name—hydralazine hydrochloride
Vasodilators lower blood pressure by directly relaxing blood vessel walls.
Possible side effects:
If you are taking medicines:
Note: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can make your BP higher. They also and make your medicines less effective. Talk to your doctor before taking them.
Antihypertensive drugs and dosing. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116313/Antihypertensi...drugs-and-dosing. Updated June 1, 2017. Accessed October 1, 2018.
High blood pressure. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/high-blood-pressure. Accessed October 1, 2018.
Hypertension medication selection and management. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114476/Hypertension-medication-selec...n-and-management. Updated September 21, 2018. Accessed October 1, 2018.
Medications and blood pressure. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/PreventionTreatmentofHighBloodPressure/Medications-and-Blood-Pressure_UCM_301888_Article.jsp#.W7Jxm3tKipo. Updated January 18, 2017. Accessed October 1, 2018.
2/28/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillancehttp://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114476/Antihypertensive-medication-selec...n-and-management: CS Wiysonge, H Bradley,Volmink J, Mayosi BM, Opie LH. Beta-blockers for hypertension. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;11:CD002003.
4/2/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T905359/Choosing-Wisely: Choosing wisely. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T905359/Choosing-Wisely. Updated September 18, 2018. Accessed October 1, 2018.
Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
