Antihypertensive drugs are a group of drugs used to lower blood pressure due to hypertension. Hypertension that is not treated properly can cause complications, ranging from stroke, heart attack, heart failure, to kidney failure.
There are several classes of antihypertensive drugs. Each class of drugs has a different way of working, but both can lower blood pressure. The type and dose of antihypertensive drug will be determined by the doctor according to the age and health condition of the patient, the severity of hypertension, and the patient's body response to the drug.
Warnings Before Using Antihypertensive Drugs
Follow the doctor's recommendations and advice while undergoing treatment with antihypertensive drugs. Before using this drug, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Antihypertensive drugs should not be used in patients who are allergic to these drugs.
- Tell your doctor about your medical history, including if you have or are currently suffering from lung and respiratory disease, diabetes, erectile dysfunction, kidney disease, angioedema, heart disease, electrolyte disturbances, gastrointestinal disease. The selection of the type of antihypertensive will be adjusted to your health condition.
- Perform control according to the schedule given by the doctor while undergoing treatment with antihypertensive drugs. Do not increase, decrease, or stop treatment without consulting your doctor first.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a medication, or an overdose after using an antihypertensive medication.
Side Effects and Dangers of Antihypertensive Drugs
The side effects of using antihypertensive drugs can vary from one to another, depending on the type, dose, and patient response to treatment. However, some side effects that may occur after using antihypertensive drugs are as follows:
- Cough
- Dizziness or dizziness
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Tired, sleepy, and lacking energy
- Rash on the skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Erectile dysfunction
- Sudden weight loss or gain
Check with your doctor if the side effects you experience do not subside or get worse. You should also see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to drugs after using antihypertensive drugs.
Type, Trademark, and Dosage of Antihypertensive Drugs
Antihypertensive drugs should only be used according to a doctor's prescription. The following is an explanation and division of the types of antihypertensive drugs:
1. ACE inhibitor
ACE inhibitor works by inhibiting a special enzyme to produce the hormone angiotensin II, a hormone that can trigger the narrowing of blood vessels. That way, the blood vessels in the body widen, blood flow can be smoother, and blood pressure can decrease. ACE Example inhibitor is:
Benazepril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: -
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the benazepril drug page.
Captopril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Acepress, Acendril, Captopril, Dexacap, Etapril, Farmoten, Forten, Otoryl, Prix, Tensicap, Tensobon, Vapril
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the captopril drug page.
Enalapril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Tenace, Tenaten and Tenazide
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the enalapril drug page.
Fosinopril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: -
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the fosinopril drug page.
Lisinopril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Inhitril, Lisinopril Dihydrate, Lipril, Noperten, Nopril
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the lisinopril drug page.
Moexipril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: -
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the moexipril drug page.
Perindopril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Bioprexum, Coveram, Cadoril
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the perindopril drug page.
Quinapril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: -
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the quinapril drug page.
Ramipril
Drug form: Tablets and caplets
Trademarks: Hyperil, Ramipril, Tenapril, Triatec, Vivace
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the ramipril drug page.
Trandolapril
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: Tarka
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the trandolapril drug page.
2. Alpha-2 receptor agonists
Alpha-2 receptor agonistIt works by suppressing the activity of tissues that produce the hormone adrenaline, so blood pressure drops. Example alpha-2 receptor agonist is:
Methyldopa
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: Dopamet
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the methyldopa drug page.
Clonidine
Drug form: Tablet and injection
Trademarks: Catapres, Clonidine, Clonidine HCL
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the clonidine drug page.
3. Calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers)
Calcium antagonists work by blocking the passage of calcium into the heart muscle and blood vessel walls, causing the heart rate to slow down and blood vessels to dilate. That way blood pressure can go down. Examples of calcium antagonists are:
Amlodipine
Drug form: Tablets and caplets
Trademarks: Amlodipine Besilate, Amlodipine Besylate, Amovask, Comdipin, Concor AM, Normetec, Norvask, Simvask, Quentin, Zenovask
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the amlodipine drug page.
Diltiazem
Drug form: Tablets, capsules, and injections
Trademarks: Cordila SR, Dilmen, Diltiazem, Farmabes, Herbesser
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the diltiazem drug page.
Felodipine
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: -
- Condition: Hypertension
Adult: Initial dose 5 mg per day. The dose can be adjusted according to the patient's response to the drug. Typical dosage is 2.5–10 mg per day.
- Condition: Angina pectoris
Adult: Initial dose 5 mg per day. The dose can be increased to 10 mg per day.
Isradipine
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: -
- Condition: Hypertension
Adults: initial dose of 2.5 mg, 2 times daily. If needed, after 3–4 weeks, the dose may be increased to 5 mg, 2 times daily or 10 mg, 2 times
nicardipine
Drug form: Injectable
Trademarks: Blistra, Carsive, Dipitenz, Nicafer, Nicarfion, Nicardipine HCl, Nicardipine Hydrochloride, Nidaven, Perdipine, Quadipine, Tensilo, Verdif
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the nicardipine drug page.
Nifedipine
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Adalat Oros, Pharmalate ER, Nifedipine, Zendalat
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the nifedipine drug page.
Verapamil
Drug form: Tablets and caplets
Trademarks: Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Tarka, Verapamil HCL
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the verapamil drug page.
4. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)
ARBs work by inhibiting the binding of angiotensin II, so that blood vessels dilate and blood pressure decreases. The types of ARB drugs are:
Candesartan
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Blopress Plus, Candefion, Candesartan Cilexetil, Candotens, Canderin, Candepress, Quatan, Unisia
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the candesartan drug page.
Eprosartan
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: Teveten
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the eprosartan drug page.
Irbesartan
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Aprovel, Coaprovel, Irbesartan, Irvell, Irtan, Tensira
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the irbesartan drug page.
Losartan
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Angioten, Cozaar, Losartan Potassium, Lifezar, Santesar
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the Losartan drug page.
Olmesartan
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Normetec, Olmetec, Olmetec Plus, Oloduo
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the olmesartan drug page.
Telmisartan
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Micardis, Nuzartan,Telgio, Telmisartan
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the telmisartan drug page.
Valsartan
Drug form: Tablets and caplets
Trademarks: Diovan, Exforge, Lapiva 5/80, Lapiva 5/160, Upero,Valsartan, Vastan 80, Vastan 160
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the valsartan drug page.
5. Diuretics
Diuretics work by removing excess salt (sodium) and fluids in the body to normalize blood pressure.
There are several types of diuretics that can be used to lower blood pressure, namely loop diuretics, thiazides, potassium-sparing diuretics.
Loop diuretic
Loop diuretics work by making the kidneys excrete more fluid, thereby reducing fluid in the bloodstream. Examples of loop diuretics are:
Furosemide
Drug form: Tablet and injection
Trademarks: Diuvar, Edemin, Farsix 40, Furosemide, Lasix, Uresix and Yekasix
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the furosemide drug page.
Torasemide
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: -
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the torasemide drug page.
In addition to the drugs mentioned above, there are several other drugs that belong to the loop diuretic class, such as bumetanide and ethacrynic acid.
Potassium sparing diuretic
The second type of diuretic drug is potassium-sparing diuretics (potassium-sparing). This drug works by reducing water and sodium levels in the body while maintaining potassium levels. Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics are:
Amiloride
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: Lorinid Mite
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the amiloride drug page.
Spironolactone
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Aldactone, Carpiaton, Letonal, Spirola, Spironolactone
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the spironolactone drug page.
thiazide diuretic
The third type of diuretic drug is a thiazide diuretic. This drug works by decreasing fluid in the body and also widening blood vessels. Examples of thiazide diuretics are:
Hydrochlorothiazide
Drug form: Tablets and caplets
Trademarks: Bisovell Plus, Coirvebal, Coaprovel, Co-Irvel, Co-Telsaril, Co-Diovan, Dexacap Plus, Hapsen Plus, Hydrochlorothiazide, Irtan Plus, Lodoz, Micardis Plus, Olmetec Plus, Tenazide
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the hydrochlorothiazide drug page.
Indapamide
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Bioprexum Plus, Natexam, Natrilix SR
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the indapamide drug page.
6. Peripheral adrenergic blockers
Peripheral adrenergic blockers work by blocking neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby reducing blood pressure. Generally, this drug is given to hypertensive patients if other antihypertensive drugs have not been successful. Examples of peripheral adrenergic blockers are:
reserpine
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: Serpasil
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the reserpine drug page.
7. Alpha blockers (alpha-blockers)
Alpha blockers work by blocking catecholamine hormones from binding to alpha receptors. This way of working will help blood circulation more smoothly, the heart beats normally, and blood pressure decreases. Examples of alpha blockers are:
Doxazosin
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Cardura, Doxazosin Mesilat, Tensidox
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the doxazosin drug page.
Terazosin
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Hytrin, Hytroz, Terazosin HCL
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the terazosin drug page.
8. Beta blockers (beta-blockers)
Beta blockers work by blocking the hormone adrenaline, so the heart beats more slowly. That way, the heart pumps less blood and can lower blood pressure. Examples of beta blockers are:
Bisoprolol
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Beta-One, Bipro, Biofin, Biscor, Bisoprolol Fumarate, Bisovell, Carbisol, Concor, Hapsen, Lodoz, Maintate, Miniten, Opiprol, Selbix
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the bisoprolol drug page.
Propranolol
Drug form: Tablet
Trademarks: Farmadral, Liblok, Propranolol
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the propranolol drug page.
9. Renin inhibitor
Renin inhibitors work by blocking the action of a chemical compound in the body called renin. This way of working can widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Examples of renin blockers are:
Aliskiren
Drug form: Tablet
Trademark: Rasilez
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the aliskiren drug page.