Overview Of The Best High Blood Pressure Medications

Lisinopril

Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. It helps relax the blood vessels. Of course, this medication is used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. However, it is not safe for use in individuals with a history of angioedema. Individuals who are allergic to any angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor should not use this drug. Before this medicine is prescribed, patients need to let their doctor know if they have any history of kidney disease, liver disease, or high potassium. Pregnant women cannot take this medication. This drug has several common side effects, such as chest pain, headaches, dizziness, and coughing.

Patients should inform their doctor immediately if they develop a fever, sore throat, or lightheadedness during treatment. They should also tell them right away if they have signs of liver damage, kidney issues, or high potassium. This includes irregular heartbeats, jaundice, and reduced or absent urination. This medicine can increase the risk for heatstroke. Thus, patients should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Patients must also avoid getting overheated during exercise. Of course, this medication has several potential interactions. Examples of such interactions include lithium, diuretics, oral diabetes medicines, insulin, gold injections, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories.

Chlorthalidone

Chlorthalidone is a diuretic that stops the body from absorbing excessive amounts of salt. It is used to treat high blood pressure. This medication is also prescribed to treat fluid retention, often called edema, in patients with congestive heart failure, kidney disorders, or liver cirrhosis. However, individuals with allergies to sulfa drugs should not take this medicine. Before this drug is prescribed, patients should talk about their medical history with their doctor. It is vital to discuss a history of gout, diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, kidney disease, or heart failure. The physician will also need to know if the patient is pregnant or following a low-salt diet. This drug is not safe for use in patients who are breastfeeding.

This medicine also has a variety of potential side effects. Common side effects include lightheadedness, dizziness, kidney issues, low potassium, and low magnesium. Patients should call their doctor immediately if they experience vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating. If vomiting occurs, patients may need to have urine and blood tests. All patients who take this medicine will have frequent follow-up appointments to check their blood pressure. Other medications will interact with this one. Examples include digoxin, steroids, oral diabetes medicines, insulin, and other high blood pressure medicines.