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High Blood Pressure Medications

Other names: Isolated Systolic Hypertension; Primary Hypertension; Resistant Hypertension; Secondary Hypertension

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Feb 19, 2024.

Most people will require 2 or more different antihypertensives (high blood pressure medications) to lower high blood pressure. Types of high blood pressure medications include:

The following antihypertensives may also be prescribed if your blood pressure remains high:

Always seek personalized advice from your doctor.

Drugs used to treat High Blood Pressure

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
lisinopril 4.9 558 reviews for lisinopril to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
lisinopril systemic
Brand names:
Prinivil, Zestril, Qbrelis
Drug class:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
amlodipine 3.8 729 reviews for amlodipine to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
amlodipine systemic
Brand names:
Norvasc, Katerzia, Norliqva
Drug class:
calcium channel blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
losartan 4.5 571 reviews for losartan to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
losartan systemic
Brand names:
Cozaar, Arbli
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
hydrochlorothiazide 5.0 159 reviews for hydrochlorothiazide to treat High Blood Pressure Rx B N X
Generic name:
hydrochlorothiazide systemic
Brand names:
Aquazide H, Esidrix, Inzirqo, Microzide
Drug class:
thiazide diuretics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
metoprolol 5.1 291 reviews for metoprolol to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
metoprolol systemic
Brand names:
Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Kapspargo Sprinkle
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
atenolol 6.6 130 reviews for atenolol to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
atenolol systemic
Brand name:
Tenormin
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Norvasc 4.2 93 reviews for Norvasc to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
amlodipine systemic
Drug class:
calcium channel blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
carvedilol 4.3 109 reviews for carvedilol to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
carvedilol systemic
Brand names:
Coreg, Coreg CR
Drug class:
non-cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Benicar 7.1 110 reviews for Benicar to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
olmesartan systemic
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
furosemide 5.0 18 reviews for furosemide to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
furosemide systemic
Brand name:
Lasix
Drug class:
loop diuretics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
clonidine 5.9 117 reviews for clonidine to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
clonidine systemic
Brand names:
Catapres, Catapres-TTS, Nexiclon XR
Drug class:
antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril 5.2 78 reviews for hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
hydrochlorothiazide / lisinopril systemic
Brand name:
Zestoretic
Drug class:
ACE inhibitors with thiazides
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cozaar 6.2 57 reviews for Cozaar to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
losartan systemic
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
spironolactone 4.8 52 reviews for spironolactone to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
spironolactone systemic
Brand names:
Aldactone, CaroSpir
Drug class:
potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
valsartan 5.5 148 reviews for valsartan to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
valsartan systemic
Brand name:
Diovan
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Bystolic 6.2 219 reviews for Bystolic to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
nebivolol systemic
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Diovan 6.7 67 reviews for Diovan to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
valsartan systemic
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
hydralazine 2.9 83 reviews for hydralazine to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
hydralazine systemic
Brand name:
Apresoline
Drug class:
vasodilators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Lopressor 6.3 10 reviews for Lopressor to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
metoprolol systemic
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Toprol-XL 6.4 39 reviews for Toprol-XL to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
metoprolol systemic
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
enalapril 5.4 25 reviews for enalapril to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
enalapril systemic
Brand names:
Vasotec, Epaned
Drug class:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Lasix 4.0 10 reviews for Lasix to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
furosemide systemic
Drug class:
loop diuretics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
nifedipine 3.8 105 reviews for nifedipine to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
nifedipine systemic
Brand names:
Procardia XL, Afeditab CR
Drug class:
calcium channel blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
propranolol Off-label 5.5 54 reviews for propranolol to treat High Blood Pressure Rx C N X
Generic name:
propranolol systemic
Brand names:
Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL
Drug class:
non-cardioselective beta blockers, group II antiarrhythmics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Off-label:
Yes
Avapro 5.1 38 reviews for Avapro to treat High Blood Pressure Rx D N X
Generic name:
irbesartan systemic
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under High Blood Pressure

Alternative treatments for High Blood Pressure

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for High Blood Pressure. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However, there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of High Blood Pressure.

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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