What is blood pressure medicines?

Blood Pressure Medicines
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Medicine for High Blood Pressure

Antihypertensive medicines

Antihypertensives are medicines that help keep blood pressure within normal limits.

Examples of antihypertensive medicines are diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs).

What are some examples of ACE inhibitors and ARBs for diabetes?

ACE inhibitors include:

  • Benazepril.
  • Lisinopril.
  • Ramipril.

ARBs include:

  • Irbesartan.
  • Losartan.
  • Telmisartan.

Learning about your blood pressure medicines can help you take them AC

The more you know about your medicines, the easier it will be to stay on your schedule and take your pills properly.

  • Know your medicines.

    Have your doctor clearly explain what each medicine does. Write down both the brand and generic names. Ask your doctor to check the list. You can use the list to make sure that the medicines you get from the pharmacy are correct.

  • Store your medicines properly.

    Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you how to store your medicines. Don't let your medicines get too hot or too cold. Always store them out of the reach of children.

  • Watch for side effects.

    Ask your doctor or pharmacist about what side effects to expect. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have side effects.

  • Have a plan for missed doses.

    Talk with your doctor about what you should do if you miss a dose of a medicine. Discuss what to do for each medicine. It may be different for each one. Write it down.

  • Talk to your doctor before you start taking other medicines.

    This includes other prescription medicines. It also includes over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal pills. Some medicines can interact with each other and keep blood pressure medicines from working right. These include decongestants, antacids, and medicines such as ibuprofen (for example, Advil or Motrin).

What do you need to know about taking ACE inhibitors and ARBs for diabetes?

  • Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
  • Before starting an ACE inhibitor or ARB, tell your doctor if you:
    • Use a salt substitute.
    • Take diuretics or potassium tablets.
  • These medicines are not safe for pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to be, talk to your doctor about a safe blood pressure medicine.
  • ACE inhibitors can cause a dry cough. If the cough is bad, talk to your doctor. Switching to an ARB is likely to help.
  • Taking some medicines together can cause problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist all the medicines you take. This includes over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, and supplements.
  • You may need regular blood and urine tests.

What are possible side effects of taking ACE inhibitors and ARBs for diabetes?

All medicines can cause side effects.

Some side effects of ACE inhibitors include:

  • Low blood pressure. You may feel dizzy and weak.
  • A dry cough.
  • High potassium levels.
  • Swelling of your lips, tongue, or face. If the swelling is severe, you may need treatment right away. Severe swelling can make it hard to breathe, but this is rare.

Some side effects of ARBs include:

  • Low blood pressure. You may feel dizzy and weak.
  • High potassium levels.

You may have other side effects or reactions not listed here. Check the information that comes with your medicine.

Taking Blood Pressure Medicine: How Others Decided

Tyrell's story: Taking pills for high blood pressure

Tyrell, 35
Find out how Tyrell coped with side effects from his high blood pressure medicine.
"I learned that it doesn't matter how healthy you feel—if you have high blood pressure, you're at risk of having problems, so it's a good idea to do something about it."

When Tyrell's doctor told him he had high blood pressure, he was shocked. "I thought, 'Hey, I'm a physical fitness trainer. I'm in great shape. How could I have high blood pressure?' "

He knew that both of his parents have high blood pressure. And one of his uncles recently had a stroke. But Tyrell had always been kind of a health nut. It just didn't seem possible that he could be sick.

"My doctor put me on two kinds of pills," the 35-year-old says. "And for a few months I was really good about taking them every day. But they made me a little tired, and I got tired of being tired."

Instead of going back to his doctor, Tyrell just stopped taking his pills. Then, a few months later, he was working at his fitness club when he heard sirens. An ambulance had been called because a club member had collapsed while lifting weights. Tyrell found out the next day that the club member had a stroke, probably caused by high blood pressure. "I learned that it doesn't matter how healthy you feel—if you have high blood pressure, you're at risk of having problems, so it's a good idea to do something about it," Tyrell says.

Trying to get it right

The new pills still made him a little tired. But this time, instead of not taking his pills, he went back to the doctor yet again. His new combination of blood pressure pills is working well, with no side effects.

"Now I often talk about high blood pressure with my clients," he says. "I tell them about my own high blood pressure—which always kind of surprises them—and let them know that medicine can help you."

This story is based on information gathered from many people facing this health issue.

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