The number of blood pressure reducing medicines available is incredible and, because many of the presently available medicines are often used in combination, selecting the correct medicine or combination of medicines gives your physician something of a headache. However, here is an overview of the various different groups of blood pressure reducing medicines presently in everyday use.

Diuretics

The first line of attack are diuretics which are designed to remove excess fluid from the body and, most importantly as far as blood pressure is concerned, to reduce levels of sodium.

Frequently used diuretics include Midamor, Hygroton, Lasix, Hydrodiuril, Bumex, Esidrix, Lozol, Diuril and Aldactone.

A number of diuretic reduce the levels of potassium in the body and can produce tiredness, weakness and leg crfamoing. This can usually be countered effectively by adding foods which contain potassium to your meals or by taking a potassium supplement in either tablet or liquid form. Diuretics can also lead to raised blood sugar levels and a change of drug or changes to diet, oral diabetic medication or insulin might be necessary for diabetics.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors widen the blood vessels and therefore reduce the resistance to blood flow and pressure in these vessels. Consequently the heart does not need to work as hard to push blood throughout the body.

Frequently used ACE inhibitors include Lotensin, Capoten, Monopril, Vasotec, Mavik, Accupril, Univasc, Altace, Aceon, Prinivil and Zestril.

ACE inhibitors might cause a loss of taste, a chronic hacking cough and in very rare cases kidney damage.

AT-2 Receptor Antagonists

Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor antagonists work in much the same ways as ACE inhibitors but they have the benefit for many patients of not leading to the hacking cough frequently experienced when taking ACE inhibitors.

Commonly used AT-2 receptor antagonists include Atacand, Micardis, Avapro, Cozaar and Teveten.

There are normally very few side effects with AT-2 receptor antagonists although in a few patients they can produce occasional dizziness.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers reduce blood pressure by decreasing both the heart rate and output.

Commonly used beta blockers include Sectral, Inderal, Kerlone, Toprol XL, Lopressor, Blocadren, Betapace, Zebeta, Tenormin, Corgard, Cartrol and Ziac.

Several beta blockers can cause insomnia, the symptoms of asthma, tiredness, depression, cold hands and feet and in very rare cases can lead to impotence.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers help to lower blood pressure by impeding the flow of calcium into the heart and blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers include what is generally agreed to be the most prescribed blood pressure medicine in the world - Norvasc.

Other frequently used calcium blockers include Lotrel, Plendil, Vascor, Procardia, Calan, Sular, Tiazac, Adalat, Isoptin, Cardizem, Nimotop and Verelan.

The side effects differ widely from one calcium blocker to the next but a few commonly experienced side effects are headache, constipation, dizziness, palpitations and swollen ankles.

As you can see there is a huge number of medicines available for reducing blood pressure and when you remember that these are often used together by combining say ACE inhibitors and diuretics, ACE inhibitors and calcium blockers or AT-2 receptor antagonists and diuretics then the range of treatments available is almost too high to count.

Of course on the one hand this is excellent news as it means that it is possible to tailor treatment to the specific needs of each individual. On the other hand however it also makes selecting the best treatment somewhat difficult.