High blood pressure medication, various types and side effects & bull; hello healthy

High blood pressure or hypertension that is left untreated can be at risk of causing complications of hypertension, such as heart attack or stroke. Therefore, in addition to adopting a healthy lifestyle, people with high blood pressure may need to take medication to lower their blood pressure.

So, what are the types of hypertension drugs that doctors usually prescribe and what are the rules for taking the right medicines? Then, are there certain drugs that people with high blood pressure should avoid and watch out for?

Types of high blood pressure medications

High blood pressure medication, also known as antihypertensive drugs, has various types or groups. Each drug causes a different reaction in each patient with hypertension.

Therefore, the doctor will prescribe the most appropriate medication, according to the conditions of high blood pressure that you are experiencing. The following are types of high blood pressure medications that are commonly given by doctors.

1. Diuretic

Diuretics are a class of drugs that are most often used in the treatment of hypertension. This drug works by removing excess water and salt which is one of the causes of hypertension.

The way this medicine works makes you urinate more often. In addition, diuretic hypertension drugs can also cause other side effects, namely fatigue, muscle cramps, lethargy, chest pain, dizziness, headaches, or abdominal pain.

Reporting from the Mayo Clinic, there are 3 main types of high blood diuretic drugs, namely thiazides, potassium-sparing, and loop diuretics.

• Thiazide

The diuretic hypertension drug thiazide works by reducing the amount of sodium and water in the body. Thiazide is the only type of diuretic that can dilate blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure.

Examples of thiazide drugs: chlorthalidone (Hygroton), chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, Microzide), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn).

• Potassium-sparing

Diuretic blood pressure-lowering drugs potassium-sparing helps reduce the amount of water in the body by speeding up the diuresis process (urination). However, unlike other types of diuretics, this drug works without removing potassium from the body.

Drug examplepotassium-sparing: amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium).

• Loop diuretic

This hypertension drug is the strongest type of diuretic when compared to other types. Loop diuretics work by removing salt, chloride, and potassium, so that all these substances will be excreted through the urine, which can help lower blood pressure.

Examples of loop diuretics: bumetanide (Bumex), furosemide (Lasix), torsemide (Demadex).

2. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Drug angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are high blood pressure drugs that work by decreasing the production of angiotensin, which is the cause of narrowing of blood vessels and causing high blood pressure.

This type of hypertension medication can cause side effects, in the form of loss of taste, loss of appetite, chronic dry cough, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances or insomnia, and fast heartbeat.

Examples of ACE inhibitor drugs: captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, benazepril hydrochloride, perindopril, ramipril, quinapril hydrochloride, and trandolapril.

3. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)

Similar to ACE inhibitors, drugsangiotensin II receptor blockers(ARB) also works by blocking angiotensin in the body. However, this drug blocks the action of angiotensin in the body instead of blocking angiotensin production, so that blood pressure decreases.

As for the side effects of this high blood pressure medication, namely occasional dizziness, sinus problems, ulcers, diarrhea, and back pain.

Examples of ARB drugs: azilsartan (Edarbi), candesartan (Atacand), irbesartan, losartan potassium, eprosartan mesylate, olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis), and valsartan (Diovan).

4. Calcium channel blockers (CCB)

Drugcalcium channel blocker(CCB) can lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and arteries. As for calcium, it can cause the heart and blood vessels to contract more strongly.

This high blood pressure medication has side effects such as drowsiness, headaches, stomach pain, swelling in the hands or feet, constipation, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and palpitations or a heartbeat that is faster than usual.

Examples of CCB drugs: amlodipine, clevidipine, diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, and nisoldipine.

5. Beta blockers

This hypertension drug works by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine (adrenal hormone). This makes the heart work slower and the heart rate and pumping force of the heart decreases. Thus, the volume of blood flowing in the blood vessels decreases and blood pressure drops too.

As for the side effects of beta blocker hypertension drugs, namely insomnia, cold hands and feet, fatigue, depression, slow heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, impotence, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness, and constipation or diarrhea.

Drug example beta blockers: atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol, metoprolol, nadolol (Corgard), betaxolol (Kerlone), metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta), nebivolol, and solotol (Betapace).

6. Alpha blocker

Drug type alpha blockersused to treat high blood pressure by affecting the work of the hormone norepinephrine, which can tighten the muscles of blood vessels. With the consumption of this hypertension drug, the muscles of the blood vessels can relax and widen, so that blood pressure decreases.

This type of high blood pressure medication usually causes side effects in the form of fast heartbeat, dizziness, and a drop in blood pressure when standing up.

Drug example alpha blockers: doxazosin (Carduar), terazosin hydrochloride, and prazosin hydrochloride (Minipress).

7. Alpha-beta blockers

Alpha-beta blockers has the same way of working with drugs beta blockers. This drug is usually prescribed for hypertensive patients who are at high risk of developing heart failure. The effect of this treatment is a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and also heart tension. Not only that, this drug also helps prevent strokes and kidney problems.

Drug example alpha-beta blockers: carvedilol and labetalol.

8. Vasodilator

Vasodilator drugs work by opening or widening the muscles of the blood vessels, so that blood will flow more easily and your blood pressure drops. The side effects of each vasodilator drug class are different, but generally they are not severe and can go away on their own.

Examples of vasodilator drugs: hydralazine and minoxidil.

9. Central-acting agents

Central-acting agents or central agonist is a high blood pressure medication that works by preventing the brain from sending signals to the nervous system to speed up the heart rate and narrow blood vessels. Thus, the heart does not need to pump the blood harder and the blood flows more easily in the blood vessels.

Drug example central-acting agent: clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay), guanfacine (Intuniv), and methyldopa.

10. Direct renin inhibitors (DRI)

Drugdirect renin inhibitor(DRI) works by preventing the renin enzyme that triggers high blood pressure, so that blood pressure decreases.

High blood pressure medications generally cause side effects such as diarrhea, coughing, dizziness, and headaches, which can go away on their own. However, if you experience other worrying side effects, such as difficulty breathing, consult a doctor immediately.

Drug example direct renin inhibitor: aliskiren (Tesorna).

11. Aldosterone receptor antagonist

Drug aldosterone receptor antagonistis more commonly used to treat heart failure, but it can also help lower high blood pressure. Similar to a diuretic, these drugs help remove excess fluid without reducing the potassium levels in the body, resulting in decreased blood pressure.

The common side effects include nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps, or diarrhea.

Drug examplealdosterone receptor antagonist: Eplerenone, spironolactone.

Hypertension drug combination

Each high blood pressure drug has a different effect on each hypertension sufferer. One type of drug alone may lower blood pressure in one person, but not in others.

Other people may need other types of drugs or supplemented with second-line hypertension drugs or a combination of hypertension drugs. In addition, the administration of second-line drugs or a combination of drugs can also reduce the side effects of hypertension drugs that are felt.

The first-line hypertension drugs that are usually given by doctors, namely beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers.

If this medicine is not enough to lower blood pressure, the doctor will give you second-line blood pressure drugs, which are usually vasodilators, alpha blockers, alpha-beta blockers, and aldosterone receptor antagonist. However, several types of diuretic drugs are also commonly given as second-line drugs.

In addition, there are also hypertension drugs that have been combined, which are usually diuretics, beta blockers, (ACE inhibitors), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), and calcium blockers. Some examples include lotensin HCT (combination of ACE inhibitor benazepril and diuretic hydrochlorothiazide) or tenoretic (combination of beta blocker atenolol and diuretic chlortalidone).

In addition, here are some hypertension drug combinations that are also commonly given by doctors:

• Diuretic potassium-sparing and thiazide.
• Beta blockers and diuretics.
• ACE inhibitors and diuretics.
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and diuretics.
• Beta blockers and alpha blockers.
• ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.

How do you take medication for high blood pressure?

When your blood pressure rises, your doctor doesn't always ask you to take antihypertensive drugs. If the type of hypertension you have is classified as prehypertension, you are only asked to make lifestyle changes.

When you are classified as hypertension, doctors generally do not immediately prescribe medication, but ask you to change your lifestyle first. If it is not enough to lower blood pressure, the new doctor will prescribe high blood pressure medication for you to consume.

In addition, if you have other medical problems that are the cause of your hypertension, your general practitioner will immediately prescribe high blood pressure medication for you.

Take hypertension medication must be according to the rules

The American Heart Association said, hypertension drugs need to be taken regularly and regularly, according to the dose and time determined by the doctor in order to work optimally.

If you don't drink it as prescribed, for example skipping a day's medication or reducing / increasing your dose, your blood pressure will not be properly controlled, which can increase your risk of other diseases, such as heart failure or kidney failure.

You also need to remember never to stop or change your hypertension medication without the doctor knowing, even if you feel better. This will only endanger you.

The time is right to take medicine

Most hypertension drugs are only taken once a day, that is, in the morning or at night. The doctor determines when to take this hypertension drug depending on the peak of your high blood pressure.

Generally, blood pressure is higher in the morning to noon, while at night and when sleeping, blood pressure is lower. However, in the elderly or those who are over 55 years of age, generally blood pressure remains high even though it has entered the night.

Antihypertensive drugs that are usually taken in the morning, namely diuretics. Meanwhile, drugs for high blood pressure are generally taken at night, namely: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers(ARB).

However, the drugs are not always consumed at that time. The doctor will determine the right type of drug and timing of taking hypertension medication according to your condition.

In addition to taking medication from a doctor, you also need to balance it by adopting a healthy lifestyle, such as a hypertension diet. Minerals and vitamins for lowering high blood pressure or natural hypertension remedies can be an option to control your blood pressure.

Conditions that cause high blood pressure medications are not effective

In some cases, hypertension drugs from doctors are not effective and do not work. Instead of being controlled, his blood pressure continued to rise when he did the next blood pressure check.

Why does this happen? The following are possible conditions that cause the hypertension drugs that you are taking do not work on you:

• White coat syndrome, which is a condition when a person experiences high blood pressure when they are around doctors or other medical personnel. Even if you take medication, someone with this condition will still experience an increase in blood pressure when checking around the doctor.
• Do not take medication as directed by your doctor.
• Make mistakes when checking blood pressure.
• Adopting an unhealthy diet.
• Lack of movement or active smokers.
• Taking certain drugs that interfere with the work of hypertension drugs or are called drug interactions.
• Other medical conditions you have that affect blood pressure.

Types of drugs that people with high blood pressure should watch out for

Taking drugs should not be arbitrary, including for people with hypertension. The reason is, there are several drugs that have interactions with hypertension drugs, which can raise blood pressure or cause other health problems.

For this reason, if you have certain health problems and need medication, you need to consult a doctor to get the right medication, which will not worsen your hypertension. Here are some drugs to watch out for:

1. Pain relievers or NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or also known as pain relievers work by retaining fluids in the body, thereby reducing kidney function. As for this condition it can increase your blood. The most commonly used NSAIDs are aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

2. Cough and fever medicine (decongestants)

Cough and fever medicines generally contain decongestants. Decongestants can narrow your blood vessels, increasing blood pressure. Decongestants can also make some blood pressure medications less effective.

3. Migraine medication

Some migraine headache medications work by narrowing the blood vessels in your head. The narrow blood vessels can increase blood pressure.

4. Weight loss drugs

In addition to making heart disease worse, weight loss medications can also increase blood pressure.

5. Antidepressant drugs

Antidepressant drugs can affect your mood and can cause your blood pressure to rise. Several antidepressant drugs that can increase blood pressure, namely venlafaxine (Effexor XR), monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and fluoxetine (prozac ,arafem, others).

6. Antibiotics

In addition to the drugs above, some antibiotic drugs also have interactions with certain high blood pressure drugs that can actually interfere with your health.

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) found that taking macrolide antibiotics, such as erythromycin and clarithromycin, in elderly people is at risk for shock or a drastic drop in blood pressure to hypotension (low blood pressure) when taken together with calcium channel hypertension drugs. blockers.

This condition can cause a person to get treatment at the hospital. However, the mechanisms and causes of these drug interactions are not clearly understood.

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