High blood pressure is often called a "silent killer" because many people
have it but do not know it. Some people do not feel sick at first. Over time,
people who do not get treated for high blood pressure can get very sick or
even die.
High blood pressure can cause:
kidney failure
stroke
blindness and
heart attacks.
There is good news.
There are life-saving medicines people can take every day to help control
their high blood pressure. People who eat healthy foods, exercise, and take
their medicines every day can control their blood pressure.
Take your blood pressure medicines.
It is important to take your blood pressure medicines every day. Take
your medicines even when your blood pressure comes down … even when
you do not feel bad. Do not stop taking your medicine until your
doctor says that it is OK.
Most people who take high blood pressure medicines do not get any side effects.
Like all medicines, high blood pressure medicines can sometimes cause side
effects. Some people have common problems like headaches, dizziness or an upset
stomach. These problems are small compared to what could happen if you
do not take your medicine.
High Blood Pressure Medicines
Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about your blood pressure
medicines. Ask your doctor about the risks of taking your medicine.
This guide only talks about some of the risks.
Tell your doctor about any problems you are having. Also, tell your doctor
if you are pregnant, nursing or planning to get pregnant. Your doctor will
help you find the medicine that is best for you.
The different kinds of blood pressure medicines are listed on the next few
pages. The drugs are listed in groups. The brand names and generic names are
given for the drugs in each group.
Find your drug. Then read some basic information about your kind of drug.
Types of High Blood Pressure Medicines
ACE Inhibitors
Beta Blockers
Calcium Channel Blockers
Peripherally Acting Alpha-Adrenergic Blockers
Angiotension II Antagonists
Vasodilators
Centrally-Acting Alpha Adrenergics
Diuretics (sometimes called "water pills")
Angiotension-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Brand Name
Generic Name
Aceon
Perindopril
Accupril
Quinapril
Altace
Ramipril
Capoten
Captopril
Lotensin
Benazepril
Mavik
Trandolapril
Monopril
Fosinopril
Prinivil
Lisinopril
Univasc
Moexipril
Vasotec
Enalapril
Vasotec IV
Enalaprilat
Zestril
Lisinopril
ACE Inhibitors: What You Should Know
Warnings
Women who are pregnant should talk to their doctor about the risks of using
these drugs late in pregnancy.
People who have kidney or liver problems, diabetes, or heart problems should
talk to their doctor about the risks of using ACE drugs.
People taking diuretics (water pills) should talk to their doctor about
the risks of using ACE drugs.
Common Side Effects
Cough
Dizziness
Feeling tired
Headache
Problems sleeping
Fast heart beat
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Chest pain
Problems breathing or swallowing
Swelling in the face, eyes, lips, tongue, or legs
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Beta Blockers
Brand Name
Generic Name
Blocadren
Timolol
Coreg
Carvedilol
Corgard
Nadolol
Inderal
Propranolol
Inderal LA
Propranolol
Kerlone
Betaxolol
Levatol
Penbutolol
Lopressor
Metoprolol
Sectral
Acebutolol
Tenormin
Atenolol
Toprol XL
Metoprolol
Trandate
Labetalol
Visken
Pindolol
Zebeta
Bisoprolol
Beta-Blockers: What You Should Know
Warnings
Do not use these drugs if you have slow heart rate, heart block or shock.
Women who are pregnant or nursing should talk to their doctor before they
start using Beta-Blockers.
The elderly and people who have kidney or liver problems, asthma, diabetes
or overactive thyroid should talk to their doctor about the specific risks
of using any of these Beta-Blockers.
Common Side Effects
Feeling tired
Upset stomach
Headache
Dizziness
Constipation/ Diarrhea
Feeling lightheaded
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Chest pain
Problems breathing
Slow or irregular heartbeat
Swelling in the hands, feet, or legs
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Brand Name
Generic Name
Norvasc
Amlodipine
Cardizem
Diltiazem
Dilacor XR
Diltiazem
Tiazac
Diltiazem
Plendil
Felodipine
DynaCirc CR
Isradipine
Cardene
Nicardipine
Adalat CC
Nifedipine
Procardia
Nifedipine
Nimotop
Nimodipine
Sular
Nisoldipine
Calan
Verapamil
Covera HS
Verapamil
Isoptin
Verapamil
Verelan
Verapamil
Calcium Channel Blockers: What You Should Know
Warnings
Do not use calcium channel blockers if you have a heart condition or if
you are taking nitrates, quinidine, or fentanyl.
People who have liver or kidney problems should talk to their doctor about
the specific risks of using any Calcium Channel Blocker.
Women who are pregnant should not use these drugs late in pregnancy.
Common Side Effects
Feeling drowsy
Headache
Upset stomach
Ankle swelling
Feeling flushed (warm)
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Chest pain
Serious rashes
Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
Fainting
Irregular heartbeat
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Peripherally Acting Alpha-Adrenergic Blockers
Brand Name
Generic Name
Cardura
Doxazosin
Dibenzyline
Phenoxybenzamine
Minipress
Prazosin
Hytrin
Terazosin
What You Should Know
Warnings
The elderly and people who have liver problems should talk to their doctor
about the risks of using these drugs.
Common Side Effects
Dizziness
Feeling tired
Feeling lightheaded
Vision problems
Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or legs
Decreased sexual ability
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Chest pain
Irregular heartbeat
Painful erection in men
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Vasodilators
Brand Name
Generic Name
Apresoline
Hydralazine
Loniten
Minoxidil
Vasodilators: What You Should Know
Warnings
Do not use these drugs if you are also taking bisulfates.
Women who are pregnant or nursing should talk to their doctor before they
start using these drugs.
People who have diabetes, heart disease, or uremia (build up of waste in
your blood) should talk to their doctor about the risks of using any of these
drugs.
People taking diuretics (water pills), insulin, phenytoin, corticosteroids,
estrogen, warfarin, or progesterone should talk to their doctor about the
risks of using any of these drugs.
Common Side Effects
Headache
Upset stomach
Dizziness
Growth in body hair
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Fever
Fast heartbeat
Fainting
Chest pain
Problems breathing
Sudden weight gain
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Angiotension II Antagonists
Brand Name
Generic Name
Atacand
Candesartan
Avapro
Irbesartan
Benicar
Olmesartan
Cozaar
Losartan
Diovan
Valsartan
Micardis
Telmisartan
Teveten
Eprosartan
Angiotension II Antagonists: What You Should Know
Warnings
Do not use these drugs if you are pregnant or nursing
People who have kidney disease, liver disease, low blood volume, or low
salt in their blood should talk to their doctor about the risks of taking
these drugs.
People taking diuretics (water pills) should talk to their doctor about
the risks of taking these drugs.
Common Side Effects
Sore throat
Sinus problems
Heartburn
Dizziness
Diarrhea
Back pain
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Problems breathing
Fainting
Swelling of the face, throat, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or legs
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Centrally-Acting Alpha Adrenergics
Brand Name
Generic Name
Catapres
Clonidine
Tenex
Guanfacine
Centrally-Acting Alpha Adrenergics: What You Should Know
Warnings
Women who are pregnant or nursing should talk to their doctor before using
these drugs.
People with heart disease, recent heart attack, or kidney disease should
talk to their doctor before using these drugs.
Drinking alcohol may make side effects worse.
Common Side Effects
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Upset stomach
Feeling drowsy or tired
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Fainting
Slow or irregular heartbeat
Fever
Swollen ankles or feet
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Combination Drugs
Brand Name
Generic Name
Lexxel
Enalapril
and
Felodipine
Lotrel
Benazepril
and
Amlodipine
Tarka
Verapamil
and
Trandolapril
Combination Drugs: What You Should Know
These medicines are made up of 2 different kinds of blood pressure medicines.
Look for the generic names of these drugs on one of the other lists in
this guide.
Warnings and Side Effects
The warnings and side effects for these drugs will be the same as those
listed earlier for both generic drugs.
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Diuretics
(sometimes called "water pills")
Brand Name
Generic Name
Aldactazide
Aldactone
Spironolactone
Demadex
Torsemide
Diuril
Chlorothiazide
Enduron
Methyclothiazide
Esidrix
Microzide
Oretic
Hydrochlorothiazide
Lasix
Furosemide
Lozol
Indapamide
Saluron
Hydroflumethiazide
Thalitone
Chlorthalidone
Zaroxolyn
Metolazone
Diuretics: What You Should Know
Warnings
Tell you doctor if you are breastfeeding. These medicines may pass into
your breast milk.
Do not use these medicines if you have problems making urine.
People with kidney or liver problems, pregnant women, and the elderly should
talk to their doctor about the risks of using diuretics.
Common Side Effects
Dizziness
Frequent urination
Headache
Feeling thirsty
Muscle cramps
Upset stomach
Warning Signs
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
Severe rash
Problems breathing or swallowing
Hyperuricemia (Gout)
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check
Drugs@FDA.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
What drugs am I taking?
What are the side effects?
What other prescription drugs should I avoid while taking my medicines?
What foods, herbs, or over-the-counter medicines should I avoid?
When should I take each drug? How many times per day do I take each drug?
Can I take my medicines if I am pregnant or nursing?
This information reflects FDA's current analysis of data available
to FDA concerning these products. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional
information or analyses become available.
