High blood pressure is a serious illness.
High blood pressure is often called a "silent killer" because many people have it but do not know it. Some people do not feel sick at first. Over time, people who do not get treated for high blood pressure can get very sick or even die.
High blood pressure can cause:
kidney failure
stroke
blindness and
heart attacks.
There are life-saving medicines people can take every day to help control their high blood pressure. People who eat healthy foods, exercise, and take their medicines every day can control their blood pressure.
It is important to take your blood pressure medicines every day. Take your medicines even when your blood pressure comes down … even when you do not feel bad. Do not stop taking your medicine until your doctor says that it is OK.
Most people who take high blood pressure medicines do not get any side effects. Like all medicines, high blood pressure medicines can sometimes cause side effects. Some people have common problems like headaches, dizziness or an upset stomach. These problems are small compared to what could happen if you do not take your medicine.
Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about your blood pressure medicines. Ask your doctor about the risks of taking your medicine. This guide only talks about some of the risks.
Tell your doctor about any problems you are having. Also, tell your doctor if you are pregnant, nursing or planning to get pregnant. Your doctor will help you find the medicine that is best for you.
The different kinds of blood pressure medicines are listed on the next few pages. The drugs are listed in groups. The brand names and generic names are given for the drugs in each group.
Find your drug. Then read some basic information about your kind of drug.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Aceon | Perindopril |
Accupril | Quinapril |
Altace | Ramipril |
Capoten | Captopril |
Lotensin | Benazepril |
Mavik | Trandolapril |
Monopril | Fosinopril |
Prinivil | Lisinopril |
Univasc | Moexipril |
Vasotec | Enalapril |
Vasotec IV | Enalaprilat |
Zestril | Lisinopril |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Blocadren | Timolol |
Coreg | Carvedilol |
Corgard | Nadolol |
Inderal | Propranolol |
Inderal LA | Propranolol |
Kerlone | Betaxolol |
Levatol | Penbutolol |
Lopressor | Metoprolol |
Sectral | Acebutolol |
Tenormin | Atenolol |
Toprol XL | Metoprolol |
Trandate | Labetalol |
Visken | Pindolol |
Zebeta | Bisoprolol |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Norvasc | Amlodipine |
Cardizem | Diltiazem |
Dilacor XR | Diltiazem |
Tiazac | Diltiazem |
Plendil | Felodipine |
DynaCirc CR | Isradipine |
Cardene | Nicardipine |
Adalat CC | Nifedipine |
Procardia | Nifedipine |
Nimotop | Nimodipine |
Sular | Nisoldipine |
Calan | Verapamil |
Covera HS | Verapamil |
Isoptin | Verapamil |
Verelan | Verapamil |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Cardura | Doxazosin |
Dibenzyline | Phenoxybenzamine |
Minipress | Prazosin |
Hytrin | Terazosin |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Apresoline | Hydralazine |
Loniten | Minoxidil |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Atacand | Candesartan |
Avapro | Irbesartan |
Benicar | Olmesartan |
Cozaar | Losartan |
Diovan | Valsartan |
Micardis | Telmisartan |
Teveten | Eprosartan |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Catapres | Clonidine |
Tenex | Guanfacine |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Lexxel | Enalapril and Felodipine |
Lotrel | Benazepril and Amlodipine |
Tarka | Verapamil and Trandolapril |
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
Brand Name | Generic Name |
---|---|
Aldactazide Aldactone |
Spironolactone |
Demadex | Torsemide |
Diuril | Chlorothiazide |
Enduron | Methyclothiazide |
Esidrix Microzide Oretic |
Hydrochlorothiazide |
Lasix | Furosemide |
Lozol | Indapamide |
Saluron | Hydroflumethiazide |
Thalitone | Chlorthalidone |
Zaroxolyn | Metolazone |
Call your doctor if you have any of these signs:
For more information about the risks and side effects for each drug, check Drugs@FDA.
FDA Office of Women's Health
www.fda.gov/womens/
FDA Heart Health Online
www.fda.gov/hearthealth/treatments/medications.html
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Health Information Center
www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/index.htm#hbp
Phone: 301-592-8573
TTY: 240-629-3255
Federal Relay Service
1-800-877-8339
This information reflects FDA's current analysis of data available to FDA concerning these products. FDA intends to update this sheet when additional information or analyses become available.
Check the following website for the most recent information about each drug: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/