There are a lot of hypertension medications available for you. There are major medication types that are commonly used by physicians. However, it varies per individual on what type of medication would work best.

Doctors would consider different factors first before giving you a specific medication. Some of these factors are your age, sex, race/ethnicity, other medical conditions, and other medication you are having. Nevertheless, it would be beneficial to know the pros and cons of the different types of high blood pressure medication.

Diuretics: Water Pills

Diuretics are used to treat glaucoma, high blood pressure, and edema. They are also called ‘water pills’ due to the action that they do to your body. These are used to help your body rid of water and sodium.

When you take diuretics, your kidneys would excrete more sodium to your urine. When this happens, water from your blood is also lessened. Thus, there would be less liquids flowing in your blood, which is a favorable condition since pressure put to your artery walls are lessened.

Three types of diuretics are available: loop, thiazide and potassium-sparing. Each of them affects a different part of your kidney. Most common uses include treatment for conditions like Diabetes insipidus; Congestive heart failure; Edema; certain kidney disorders, like kidney stones; Female hirsutism; Polycystic ovary syndrome; and Osteoporosis.

Diuretics’ side effects usually include weakness, increased urination, impotence, dizziness, and dehydration. Some types of diuretics can cause potassium increase or decrease, and sodium decrease.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers are also used to reduce blood pressure. They work by blocking the hormone epinephrine, which is also known as adrenaline. In result, your heart would beat more slowly exerting less force, thus your blood pressure is reduced. They can also help your blood vessels open up and relax to improve your blood flow.

Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL), Atenolol (Tenormin), and Propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA) are examples of beta blockers. There are also various uses for beta blockers. They can be used to treat, prevent or improve symptoms, for different conditions.

Some of the conditions beta blockers can be used include high blood pressure, arrhythmia, heart failure, angina, heart attacks, glaucoma, migraines, generalized anxiety disorder, hyperthyroidism, and

Certain types of tremors

Beta blockers’ side effects include cold hands, fatigue, weakness and dizziness. Less frequent side effects would include trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, slow heartbeat and loss of sex drive. If you have asthma you shouldn’t use this type of medication, since it may trigger you to have severe asthma attacks.

Vasodilators

Vasodilators ‘dilate’ or open up your blood vessels. They directly affect muscles of your artery walls by preventing the walls from narrowing and tightening. With larger space to flow, blood easily circulates and your heart doesn’t have to work extra, thus, lowering your systolic and diastolic pressure.

Hydralazine (Apresoline) and Minoxidil are examples of vasodilators. These can be generally used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.

Vasodilators can be intoxicating and are usually considered to be a last resort, when other kinds of treatment can’t sustain your BP. Side effects are usually rapid heartbeat, chest pain, heart palpitations, edema, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, headache, flushing, excessive hair growth and nasal congestion. They also increase your risk of developing lupus.

Calcium Channel Blockers

These prevent calcium from flowing into cells of your blood vessel walls and heart. Thus, resulting to lower blood pressure. Examples of these are Amlodipine (Norvasc), Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) and Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, Covera).

They are used to treat High blood pressure, angina, migraines, pulmonary hypertension, arrhythmia, Raynaud’s disease, and complications in brain aneurysm.

Some of its side effects are: headache, constipation, rash, rapid heartbeat, flushing, drowsiness, nausea, and swelling of lower legs and feet.

ACE Inhibitors

ACE stands for Angiotensin-converting enzyme. These ACE inhibitors help relax your blood vessels. Examples include Benazepril (Lotensin), Enalapril (Vasotec), and Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril).

They are usually used to treat high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes, heart attacks, Scleroderma and migraines. Side effects usually include increased blood-potassium level, dry cough, rash, lightheadedness, dizziness, reduced appetite and palate change.