Chemical and Brand Names of Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Hypertension Updated May 2015
The following is a list of the most common drugs and drug combinations used to treat hypertension regardless of the fact that in 95% of the cases the cause of the high blood pressure cannot be determined. The (G) indicates that a generic form is available.
Diuretics
Diuretics (“water pills”) increase the amount of sodium and water excreted into the urine by the kidneys. It is thought that they lower blood pressure mainly by reducing the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.
Diuretics commonly used for hypertension:
- Acetazolamide – Diamox
- Chlorthalidone – Thalidone, also sold as Tenoretic and Clorpres
- Hydrochlorothiazide – HydroDiuril, also sold as Microzide and Esidrix
- Indapamide – Lozol
- Metolazone – Zaroxolyn, also sold as Mykrox
Diuretics less commonly used for hypertension::
* Amiloride hydrochloride (G) – Midamor
* Bumetanide (G) – Bumex
* Ethacrynic acid – Edecrin
* Furosemide (G) – Lasix
* Spironolactone (G) – Aldactone
* Torsemide (G) – Demadex
* Triamterene (G) – Dyrenium
Beta-blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system, slow the heart rate, and reduce stress on the heart and the arteries.
- Acebutolol – Sectral
- Atenolol – Tenormin
- Betaxolol – Kerlone
- Bisoprolol – Zebeta, also sold as Ziac
- Carteolol – Cartrol
- Carvedilol – Coreg
- Labetalol – Normodyne, also sold as Trandate
- Metoprolol – Lopressor, also sold as Toprol
- Nadolol – Corgard
- Penbutolol – Levatol
- Propranolol – Inderal, Inderal LA
- Timolol – Blocadren
Calcium Channel Blockers can reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries and, in some cases, reducing the force of the heart’s contractions.
- Amlodipine – Norvasc, also sold as Caduet and Lotrel
- Diltiazem – Cardizem, also sold as Dilacor and Tiazac
- Felodipine – Plendil
- Isradipine – DynaCirc
- Nicardipine – Cardene
- Nifedipine – Procardia XL, also sold as Adalat
- Nisoldipine – Sular
- Verapamil hydrochloride – Isoptin, also sold as Calan, Verelan, and Covera
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (the “ACE inhibitors”) can lower blood pressure by dilating the arteries.
- Benazepril – Lotensin
- Captopril – Capoten
- Enalapril – Vasotec, also sold as Vaseretic
- Fosinopril – Monopril
- Lisinopril – Prinivil, also sold as Zestril
- Moexipril – Univasc
- Quinapril – Accupril
- Ramipril – Altace
- Trandolapril – Mavik
Note: Nursing home staff report Lisinopril is the #1 cause of spontaneous dementia in their facilities. There are class action suites pending against the manufacturer Merck and others.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Angiotensin receptor blockers (the “ARBs”) reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries.
- Candesartan – Atacand
- Irbesartan – Avapro
- Losartan – Cozaar
- Telmisartan – Micardis
- Valsartan – Diovan
Other, Less Commonly Used Hypertension Drugs
* Clonidine (G) – Catapres
* Doxazosin (G) – Cardura
* Guanabenz (G) – Wytensin
* Guanfacine (G) – Tenex
* Hydralazine hydrochloride (G) – Apresoline
* Methyldopa (G) – Aldomet
* Prazosin (G) – Minipress
* Reserpine (G) – Serpasil
* Terazosin (G) – Hytrin
Combination Drugs for Hypertension
Numerous combination drugs have been marketed for hypertension, and it is almost impossible to keep track of new ones that come along, or old ones that fade away. The following is a reasonably complete and up to date list of the most commonly prescribed combination drugs used for hypertension
* Amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide – Moduretic
* Amlodipine and benazepril – Lotrel
* Atenolol and chlorthalidone – Tenoretic
* Benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide – Lotensin HCT
* Bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide – Ziac
* Captopril and hydrochlorothiazide – Capozide
* Enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide – Vaseretic
* Felodipine and enalapril – Lexxel
* Hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide – Apresazide
* Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide – Prinzide, also sold as Zestoretic
* Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide – Hyzaar
* Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide – Aldoril
* Metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide – Lopressor HCT
* Nadolol and bendroflumethiazide – Corzide
* Propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide – Inderide
* Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide – Aldactazide
* Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide – Dyazide, also sold as Maxide
* Verapamil extended release) and trandolapril – Tarka
Updated May 2015