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).
Deciding whether to treat high blood pressure with medicine and choosing the best medicine may depend on:
Doctors usually first prescribe a single, low-dose medicine. If this doesn't work, your doctor may change the dosage. Or you may try a different medicine or combination of medicines. It's common to try several medicines before blood pressure is controlled. Many people need more than one medicine to get the best results.
ACE inhibitors include:
ARBs include:
All medicines can cause side effects.
Some side effects of ACE inhibitors include:
Some side effects of ARBs include:
You may have other side effects or reactions not listed here. Check the information that comes with your medicine.
The more you know about your medicines, the easier it will be to stay on your schedule and take your pills properly.
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.
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.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about what side effects to expect. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have side effects.
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.
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).
©2011-2024 Healthwise, Incorporated