List of AntiHypertensive Medications

Based on "Treatment of Myocardial Ischemia and Hypertension"
written by Thomas Michel, MD, PhD, and Brian B. Hoffman, MD

This comprehensive listing includes therapeutic agents that can be used for lowering of blood pressure.

Alpha-Blockers (Antihypertensive)

Alpha blockers, also called alpha-adrenergic antagonists, dilate blood vessels by blocking postsynaptic alpha1-adrenergic receptors. Alpha blockers are generally not recommended as initial therapy.

Generic Brand Name
Doxazosin Cardura, Carduran
Prazosin Minipress, Minipress XL
Terazosin Hytrin


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Alpha-2 Agonists, Central-Acting

Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists work by stimulating alpha-2 receptors and decreasing sympathetic activity, which leads to decreased blood pressure and heart rate.

Generic Brand Name
Clonidine Catapres, Catapres TTS (patch), Dixarit, Duraclon, Jenloga, Kapvay, Nexiclon XR
Guanabenz Wytensin
Guanfacine Intuniv, Tenex
Methyldopa Aldomet
Lofexidine Britlofex

Aldosterone Antagonists, Selective

Generic Brand Name
Eplerenone Inspra

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

Angiotensin receptor blockers work by blocking the effects of hormone angiotensin II (type 1 receptor). As a result, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure is reduced.

Generic Brand Name
Azilsartan Edarbi
Candesartan Atacand
Eprosartan Teveten
Irbesartan Avapro
Losartan Cozaar
Olmesartan Benicar
Telmisartan Micardis
Valsartan Diovan

ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors remain the initial treatment of choice for hypertension. This class of drugs blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), thus preventing constriction of blood vessels.

Generic Brand Name
Benazepril Lotensin
Captopril Capoten
Enalapril Vasotec
Fosinopril Monopril
Lisinopril Prinivil
Moexipril Univasc
Perindopril Aceon
Quinapril Accupril
Ramipril Altace
Trandolapril Mavik

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers produce antihypertensive action by reducing heart rate and cardiac output. Currently beta-blockers are not recommended as first-line treatment due to the risk of stroke and new-onset of type 2 diabetes when compared to other medications 4.

Generic Brand Name
Beta-blockers with alpha activity
Carvedilol Coreg, Coreg CR
Labetalol Trandate
Beta-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity
Acebutolol Sectral
Pindolol Visken
Penbutolol Levatol
Beta-1 cardioselective beta-blockers
Atenolol Tenormin
Betaxolol Kerlone
Bisoprolol Zebeta
Celiprolol Selectol
Metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol XL
Nebivolol Bystolic
Sotalol Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine
Nonselective beta-blockers
Nadolol Corgard
Propranolol Inderal LA, InnoPran XL
Timolol Blocadren

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers decrease the entry of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. By blocking the entry of calcium, this class of drugs reduces heart rate and contractility and dilates arteries.

Generic Brand Name
Amlodipine Norvasc, Lotrel
Bepridil Vascor
Clevidipine Cleviprex
Diltiazem Calan, Calan SR, Cardizem, Covera HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM
Felodipine Plendil
Lacidipine Caldine, Lacimen, Lacipil, Midotens, Motens
Lercanidipine Lercadip, Zanidip
Levamlodipine EsCordi Cor, Esam, Eslo, S-Amlip
Isradipine DynaCirc, DynaCirc CR
Nicardipine Cardene SR
Nifedipine Adalat, Nifediac, Nifedical, Procardia
Nimodipine Nimotop
Nisoldipine Sular
Verapamil Calan, Calan SR, Covera-HS, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Verelan PM

Diuretics, Loop

Loop diuretics lower blood pressure by reducing blood volume. These medications inhibit the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Loop diuretics promote water loss and increase sodium excretion.

Generic Brand Name
Bumetanide Bumex
Ethacrynic acid Edecrin
Furosemide Lasix
Piretanide  
Torsemide Demadex

Diuretics, Potassium-Sparing

Potassium-sparing diuretics work by leaving more potassium in the blood, as a result more sodium and water are excreted in the urine. Potassium-sparing diuretics are weak antihypertensives when used alone.

Generic Brand Name
Amiloride Midamore
Spironolactone Aldactone
Triamterene Dyrenium

Diuretics, Thiazide

Thiazide diuretics reduce sodium absorption from the distal tubule segment of the kidney. Thiazide diuretics are known to worsen insulin sensitivity and elevate serum total cholesterol levels4.

Generic Brand Name
Bendroflumethiazide Aprinox
Chlorothiazide Diuril
Chlorthalidone Hygroton
Indapamide Lozol
Hydrochlorothiazide Hydrodiuril
Methyclothiazide Enduron
Metolazone Zaroxolyn, Diulo, Mykrox

Peripheral Adrenergic Inhibitors

These medications are rarely used unless other medications don't help.

Generic Brand Name
Guanadrel Hylorel
Guanethidine Ismelin
Reserpine Serpasil

Renin Inhibitors

Renin inhibitors act by inhibiting the activity of renin, the enzyme responsible for angiotensin II levels.

Generic Brand Name
Aliskiren Tekturna

Vasodilators

Vasodilators work by dilating arterioles. However, vasodilatation by itself causes increased sympathetic outflow to the heart, leading to tachycardia and increased contraction.

Generic Brand Name
Diazoxide Proglycem
Hydralazine Apresoline, Dralzine
Minoxidil Loniten
Nitroprusside Nipride, Nitropress, Sodium Nitroprusside

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Antihypertensive Combinations

Generic Brand Name
Alpha blockers and diuretics
Prazosin/Polythiazide Minizide
ACE inhibitors and Diuretics
Benazepril/HCTZ Lotensin HCT
Captopril/HCTZ Capozide
Enalapril/HCTZ Vaseretic
Fosinopril/HCTZ Monopril HCT
Lisinopril/HCTZ Prinzide, Zestoretic
Moexipril/HCTZ Uniretic
Quinapril/HCTZ Accuretic
Angiotensin ll Antagonists and Diuretics
Candesartan/HCTZ Atacand HCT
Eprosartan/HCTZ Teveten HCT
Irbesartan/HCTZ Avalide
Losartan/HCTZ Hyzaar
Olmesartan/HCTZ Benicar HCT
Telmisartan/HCTZ Micardis HCT
Valsartan/HCTZ Diovan HCT
Beta-blockers and Diuretics
Atenolol/Chlorthalidone Tenoretic
Bisoprolol/HCTZ Ziac
Metoprolol/HCTZ Lopressor HCT
Nadolol/Bendroflumethiazide Corzide
Propranolol/HCTZ Inderide
Timolol/HCTZ Timolide
Calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors
Amlodipine/Benzapril Lotrel
Amlodipine/Perindopril Prestalia
Diltiazem/Enalapril Teczem
Felodipine/Enalapril Lexxel
Lercanidipine/Enalapril Carmen ACE, Coripren
Verapamil/Trandolapril Tarka
Calcium channel blockers and Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
Amlodipine/Olmesartan Azor
Amlodipine/Olmesartan/HCTZ Tribenzor
Amlodipine/Telmisartan Twynsta
Amlodipine/Valsartan Exforge
Amlodipine/Valsartan/HCTZ Exforge HCT
Centrally acting drugs and Diuretics
Methyldopa/HCTZ Aldoril
Reserpine/Chlorothiazide Diupres
Reserpine/HCTZ Hydropres
Diuretic combinations
Amiloride/HCTZ Moduretic
Spironolactone/HCTZ Aldactone
Triamterene/HCTZ Dyazide, Maxzide
Clonidine/Chlorthalidone Combipres
Hydralazine/HCTZ Apresazide
Methyldopa/HCTZ Aldoril
Prazosin/Polythiazide Minizide
Other combinations
Amlodipine/Atorvastatin Caduet
Amlodipine/Aliskiren Tekamlo
Amlodipine/Aliskiren/HCTZ Amturnide
Aliskiren/HCTZ Tekturna HCT
Aliskiren/Valsartan Valturna
Nebivolol/Valsartan Byvalson

Further reading

Resources

  • 1. New FDA Approved Drugs CenterWatch
  • 2. Lionel H. Opie, Bernard J. Gersh. Drugs for the Heart. 8th Ed; Saunders, 2013
  • 3. David A. Williams. Foye's Medicinal Chemistry. 7th Ed; LWW, 2012
  • 4. Messerli FH, Bangalore S, Julius S. Risk/benefit assessment of beta-blockers and diuretics precludes their use for first-line therapy in hypertension. Circulation. 2008 May 20;117(20):2706-15. Full text

Created: November 20, 2014
Last updated: March 27, 2019

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