If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), your healthcare provider may prescribe medicine to lower it. There are several kinds of medicines. You may need to take more than one medicine. Show
DiureticsDiuretics are often the first medicine your doctor will try to treat your high blood pressure. Diuretics help lower blood pressure by removing excess fluid and salt in the body through the urine. Examples of common diuretics are:
One common side effect of this medicine is more urination. Some diuretics also cause you to lose potassium. You may need to take a potassium supplement. This depends on the type of diuretic that you take. Make sure you talk with your healthcare team to know what type of diuretic you take. Ask if you need monitoring of your electrolyte levels and kidney function while taking these types of medicines. Beta blockersThese block a hormone that increases the heart rate and blood pressure. This helps relax the blood vessels to improve blood flow. Some beta blockers may have more effect on blood pressure and heart function than others. Examples of beta blockers are:
Make sure you know how to check your heart rate while taking these types of medicines. If you have a history of asthma, beta blockers can make the asthma worse. ACE inhibitors and ARBsACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme. ACE inhibitors reduce the production of the enzyme angiotensin. This enzyme makes blood vessels constrict. ACE inhibitors allow blood vessels to expand. This is so that blood can flow more easily and the heart can work more efficiently. Examples of ACE inhibitors are:
ARBs are angiotensin II receptor blockers. ARBs block the effects of angiotensin. They prevent it from affecting the heart and blood vessels. You may need this medicine if you can't tolerate ACE inhibitors. Examples of ARBs are:
Pregnant women should not take ACE inhibitors or ARBs. These medicines can cause a risk of birth defects. If you have high blood pressure and plan to become pregnant or are pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. You should have regular blood tests to make sure these medicines don't affect your kidney function or electrolyte levels. Talk with your healthcare team about how often you should have these blood tests. Calcium channel blockersThese cause blood vessels to widen (dilate) by reducing the amount of calcium in their cells. Some also slow the heart rate. Some calcium channel blockers are:
Alpha blockersAlpha blockers block a hormone that makes the blood vessels constrict. This helps relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow. Examples of alpha blockers are:
Central agonistsThis class of medicine stimulates a receptor in the brain that lowers blood pressure and heart rate. An example of this medicine is clonidine. VasodilatorsVasodilators lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and improve blood flow. Examples of these medicines are hydralazine and minoxidil. Guidelines for taking medicinesBlood pressure medicine may cause side effects such as:
Ask your healthcare provider about changing your prescription if you have side effects. To benefit from your medicine, follow these guidelines:
Which categories of drugs work to raise blood pressure by causing the blood vessels to constrict?Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
What they do: They keep angiotensin II from making your blood vessels constrict. Selected blood pressure medication side effects: High potassium.
What drugs constrict blood vessels?Medications that cause vasoconstriction. alpha-adrenoceptor agonists.. vasopressin analogs.. epinephrine.. norepinephrine.. phenylephrine (Sudafed PE). dopamine.. dobutamine.. migraine and headache medications ( serotonin 5‐hydroxytryptamine agonists or triptans). What are drugs called that increase blood pressure?Examples include: Indomethacin (Indocin, Tyvorbex) Over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin, naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) Piroxicam (Feldene)
Which type of drug causes vasoconstriction?β‐adrenoceptor blockers have long been known to cause drug‐induced peripheral vasoconstriction, especially Raynaud's phenomenon (RP), which was described as an adverse effect of β‐adrenoceptor blockers 40 years ago 1.
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