Care Guides

Return to Index Step 1: What is Blood Pressure?Step 2: Take High Blood Pressure Seriously Step 3: What Causes High Blood Pressure?Step 4: Who Gets High Blood Pressure?Step 5: High Blood Pressure is "Silent"Step 6: Diagnosing High Blood Pressure Step 7: Follow-up Office Visits Step 8: Treatment Overview Step 9: Maintain Healthy Habits Step 10: Drug Therapy Step 11: Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home Step 12: You and Your Doctor are a Team Key Points Glossary

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Drug treatments: Other drugs

Other drugs used to treat high blood pressure include angiotensin-receptor blockers, vasodilators, and alpha blockers.

Angiotensin-receptor blockers

Drugs known as angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) block the effects of angiotensin, a hormone that would otherwise cause arteries to constrict. They are similar to ACE inhibitors in their action and ability to both lower blood pressure and protect the kidneys, but may have fewer or less severe side effects, including cough. They may even improve sexual function in men.

Vasodilators

Vasodilators, which widen blood vessels, are often used in combination with a diuretic or a beta blocker. They are almost never used by themselves. Representative vasodilators include hydralazine (Apresoline), clonidine (Catapres -- available in tablets or as a skin patch), and minoxidil (Loniten). Some of these drugs should be used with caution, or NOT at all by people with angina, heart failure, or those who have had a recent heart attack.

Alpha blockers

Alpha blockers, such as doxazosin (Cardura) and prazosin (Minipress), widen blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure. However, a major study on doxazosin was stopped when it was associated with a higher risk of chest pain, stroke, and heart failure compared with a diuretic. At this time, until more is known, they are only recommended for reducing blood pressure if no other agents are effective.

Review Date: 4/6/2007
Reviewed By: Glen Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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