List of AntiHypertensive Medications
- Alpha-Blockers, Antihypertensives
- Alpha2-Agonists, Central-Acting
- Aldosterone Antagonists, Selective
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
- ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Diuretics, Loop
- Diuretics, Potassium-Sparing
- Diuretics, Thiazide
- Peripheral Adrenergic Inhibitors
- Renin Inhibitors
- Vasodilators
- Antihypertensive Combinations
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 |
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 |
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