Hypertension is a disease that requires changes in lifestyle stable with regular medication to cure. If you or a family member suffering from hypertension, you should take note of common drugs prescribed for treatment.
Take a look here:
Diuretics:
Diuretics have been the pillars of anti-hypertensive for many years. Diuretics are particularly useful for treating the elderly and African-American patients.
These protect against stroke and blood clots. They are inexpensive and easily accessible with a number of brands that produce them.
Diuretics are essentially three main types, namely:
1) thiazide diuretics
2) loop diuretics and
3) Potassium-sparing agents
Beta-blockers:
Beta-blockers affect the strength and frequency of heart beats. They slow certain metabolic processes, and reduce the workload of the heart. They are available in many brands, including acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), carvedilol and (Coreg).
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors:
Basically converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the effects of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone. Although they work wonders for patients suffering from diabetes, they are quite expensive. They also improve the function of heart and respiratory muscles. Some brands ACE Vasotec (enalapril), quinapril (Accupril), benazepril (Lotensin), ramipril (Altace, Tritace) and perindopril (Aceon, Coversyl).
Blockers (IC):
Calcium antagonists reduce blood pressure immediately. But they are expensive. They have their own side-effects. And they are not as effective as diuretics in preventing heart failure. Some brands of BAC are diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, Verelan PM, Covera-HS), and nisoldipine (Sular ).
Blockers-receptor blockers (ARBs):
They are also called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. ARA have too many side effects
such as cough, headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, high levels of potassium in the blood, and abnormal kidney function.
It is believed that these may improve sexual function in men. These drugs are very expensive. Brands include ARB olmesartan (Benicar) candesartan (Atacand), (Telmisartan, Micardis), (eprosartan Teveten), and irbesartan (Avapro, Aprovel, Karvea).
Alpha blockers:
Alpha blockers widen the arteries and veins and thereby reduce blood pressure.
Vasodilators:
Vasodilators are often used in combination with a diuretic or a beta-blocker. They are almost never used alone. Some popular brands include Apresoline (hydralazine), clonidine (Catapres) and minoxidil (Loniten).
Apart from this, other drugs such as, aldosterone blockers, inhibitors of neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and statins to treat high blood pressure are also recommended.
