High Blood Pressure Medications

Most people will require 2 or more different antihypertensives (high blood pressure medications) to lower high blood pressure. Types of high blood pressure medications include:

• Diuretics (water pills):
  • Thiazide diuretics (eg, hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ])
  • Loop diuretics (eg, furosemide [eg, Lasix])
  • Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone [eg, Aldactone]).
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:
  • Enalapril (eg, Vasotec)
  • Lisinopril (eg, Prinivil)
  • Ramipril (eg, Altace)
• Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blockers (ARBs):
  • Losartan (eg, Cozaar)
  • Valsartan (eg, Diovan)
  • Irbesartan (eg, Avapro).
• Calcium Channel Blockers:
  • Amlodipine (eg, Norvasc)
  • Diltiazem (eg, Cardizem)
  • Verapamil (eg, Verelan).
• Beta Blockers:
  • Atenolol (eg, Tenormin)
  • Metoprolol (eg, Toprol-XL)
  • Propranolol (eg, Inderal LA)
• Renin Inhibitors:
  • Aliskiren (eg, Tekturna).

The following antihypertensives may also be prescribed if your blood pressure remains high:

• Aldosterone Antagonists:
  • Eplerenone (eg, Inspra)
• Alpha Blockers:
  • Doxazosin (eg, Cardura)
  • Prazosin (eg, Minipress)
• Alpha-Beta Blockers:
  • Carvedilol (eg, Coreg)
  • Labetalol (eg, Trandate)
• Central-Acting Agents:
  • Clonidine (eg, Catapres)
  • Methyldopa.