Blood Pressure-Lowering Drugs

Blood pressure-lowering drugs can help control blood pressure when diet and physical activity alone have not succeeded.

**Some of the major types of commonly prescribed cardiovascular medications are summarized in this section. For your information and reference, we have included generic names as well as major trade names to help you identify what you may be taking; however, the AHA is not recommending or endorsing any specific products. If your prescription medication isn't on this list, remember that your healthcare provider and pharmacist are your best sources of information. It's important to discuss all of the drugs you take with your doctor and understand their desired effects and possible side effects. Never stop taking a medication and never change your dose or frequency without first consulting your doctor.

Diuretics
Diuretics lower blood pressure by causing the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination. If the desired effects aren't achieved with diuretics alone, in combination they may enhance the effect of other blood pressure medications. Some commonly prescribed diuretics include:

Amiloride (Midamor)**
Bumetanide (Bumex)**
Chlorothiazide (Diuril)**
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)**
Furosemide (Lasix)**
Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril)**
Indapamide (Lozol)**
Spironolactone (Aldactone)**

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
These drugs expand blood vessels and decrease resistance. This allows blood to flow more easily and makes the heart's work easier or more efficient. ACE inhibitors are used to treat symptoms of heart failure and to lower blood pressure. These should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to become so. If you already take these and find you are pregnant you should discontinue immediately and speak with your doctor. Commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors include:

Benazepril (Lotensin)**
Captopril (Capoten)**
Enalapril (Vasotec)**
Fosinopril (Monopril)
Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)**
Moexipril (Univasc)**
Perindopril (Aceon)**
Quinapril (Accupril)**
Ramipril (Altace)**
Trandolapril (Mavik)**

Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists
Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor antagonists produce effects similar to those produced by ACE inhibitors. They may be better tolerated because they produce less cough. Rather than lowering levels of angiotensin II (as ACE inhibitors do), angiotensin II receptor blockers prevent this chemical from having any effects on the heart and blood vessels. This keeps blood pressure from rising. These should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you already take these and find you are pregnant you should discontinue immediately and speak with your doctor. Commonly prescribed angiotensin-2 receptor antagonists include:

Candesartan (Atacand)**
Eprosartan (Teveten)**
Irbesartan (Avapro)**
Losartan (Cozaar)**
Telmisartan (Micardis)**
Valsartan (Diovan)**

Beta Blockers
Beta blockers decrease the heart rate and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure. They're also used with therapy for cardiac arrhythmias and in treating angina pectoris. Commonly prescribed beta blockers include:

Acebutolol (Sectral)**
Atenolol (Tenormin)**
Betaxolol (Kerlone)**
Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)**
Bisoprolol (Zebeta)**
Carteolol (Cartrol)**
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)**
Nadolol (Corgard)**
Propranolol (Inderal)**
Sotalol (Betapace)**
Timolol (Blocadren)**

Combination Therapies

Atenolol and chlorthalidone (Tenoretic)**
Bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)**
Nadolol and bendroflumethiazide (Corzide)**
Propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Inderide)**
Timolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Timolide)**

Combination Therapy – ACE Inhibitor/Diuretic

Benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide (Lotensin)**
Enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide (Vaseretic)**
Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide (Prinzide, Zestoretic)**
Moexipril and hydrochlorothiazide (Uniretic)**
Quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide (Accuretic)**

Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers, also known as "calcium antagonists," interrupt the movement of calcium into heart and vessel cells. They're also used to treat angina (chest pain) and/or some arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). Commonly prescribed calcium channel blockers include:

Amlodipine (Norvasc, Lotrel)**
Bepridil (Vascor)**
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)**
Felodipine (Plendil)**
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)**
Nimodipine (Nimotop)**
Nisoldipine (Sular)**
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)**

Combination Therapy – Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist/Diuretic

Irbesartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Avalide)**
Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Hyzaar)**
Valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide (Diovan HCT)**

Combination Therapy – ACE Inhibitor/Calcium Channel Blocker

Amlodipine and benazepril (Lotrel)**
Enalapril and felodipine (Lexxel)**
Trandolapril and verapamil (Tarka)**

Alpha Blockers

Doxazosin mesylate (Cardura)**
Prazosin hydrochloride (Minipress)**
Prazosin and polythiazide (Minizide)**
Terazosin hydrochloride (Hytrin)**

Central Alpha Agonists

Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres)**
Clonidine hydrochloride and chlorthalidone (Clorpres, Combipres)**
Guanabenz Acetate (Wytensin)**
Guanfacine hydrochloride (Tenex)**
Methyldopa (Aldomet)**
Methyldopa and chlorothiazide (Aldochlor)**
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide (Aldoril)**

Combined Alpha and Beta Blockers

Carvedilol (Coreg)**
Labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne)**

*This link is provided for convenience only, and is not an endorsement or assurance of the entity or any product or service.

This content is reviewed regularly. Last update 04/10/09.