Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors are a class of medication used primarily for the treatment of high blood pressure and heart failure. This class of medicine works by causing relaxation of blood vessels as well as a decrease in blood volume, which leads to lower blood pressure and decreased oxygen demand from the heart.
Hydrochlorothiazide, sold under the brand name Hydrodiuril among others, is a diuretic medication used to treat hypertension and swelling due to fluid build-up. Other uses include treating diabetes insipidus and renal tubular acidosis and to decrease the risk of kidney stones in those with a high calcium level in the urine. Hydrochlorothiazide is taken by mouth and may be combined with other blood pressure medications as a single pill to increase effectiveness. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide medication which inhibits reabsorption of sodium and chloride ions from the distal convoluted tubules of the kidneys, causing a natriuresis. This initially increases urine volume and lowers blood volume. It is believed to reduce peripheral vascular resistance.
Antihypertensives are a class of drugs that are used to treat hypertension. Antihypertensive therapy seeks to prevent the complications of high blood pressure, such as stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and myocardial infarction. Evidence suggests that reduction of the blood pressure by 5 mmHg can decrease the risk of stroke by 34% and of ischaemic heart disease by 21%, and can reduce the likelihood of dementia, heart failure, and mortality from cardiovascular disease. There are many classes of antihypertensives, which lower blood pressure by different means. Among the most important and most widely used medications are thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs), and beta blockers.
Amlodipine, sold under the brand name Norvasc among others, is a calcium channel blocker medication used to treat high blood pressure, coronary artery disease (CAD) and variant angina. It is taken orally.
Enalapril, sold under the brand name Vasotec among others, is an ACE inhibitor medication used to treat high blood pressure, diabetic kidney disease, and heart failure. For heart failure, it is generally used with a diuretic, such as furosemide. It is given by mouth or by injection into a vein. Onset of effects are typically within an hour when taken by mouth and last for up to a day.
Irbesartan, sold under the brand name Avapro among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It is a reasonable initial treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth. Versions are available as the combination irbesartan/hydrochlorothiazide.
Lisinopril is a medication belonging to the drug class of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and is used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and heart attacks. For high blood pressure it is usually a first-line treatment. It is also used to prevent kidney problems in people with diabetes mellitus. Lisinopril is taken orally. Full effect may take up to four weeks to occur.
Ramipril, sold under the brand name Altace among others, is an ACE inhibitor type medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It can also be used as a preventative medication in patients over 55 years old to reduce the risk of having a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death in patients shown to be at high risk, such as some diabetics and patients with vascular disease. It is a reasonable initial treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth.
Quinapril, sold under the brand name Accupril by the Pfizer corporation. It a medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It is a first line treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth.
Telmisartan, sold under the brand name Micardis among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It is a reasonable initial treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth. Versions are available as the combination telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide, telmisartan/cilnidipine and telmisartan/amlodipine.
Valsartan, sold under the brand name Diovan among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and diabetic kidney disease. It belongs to a class of medications referred to as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). It is a reasonable initial treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth.
Olmesartan, sold under the brand name Benicar among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is taken orally. Versions are available as the combination olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan/amlodipine.
Lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide, sold under the brand name Zestoretic among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). It contains lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, and hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. Typically, it becomes an option once a person is doing well on the individual components. It is taken by mouth.
Amlodipine/benazepril, sold under the brand name Lotrel among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication used to treat high blood pressure. It is a combination of amlodipine, as the besilate, a calcium channel blocker, and benazepril, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor. It may be used if a single agent is not sufficient. It is taken by mouth.
Torasemide, also known as torsemide, is a diuretic medication used to treat fluid overload due to heart failure, kidney disease, and liver disease. It is a less preferred treatment for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth or by injection into a vein.
Valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide, sold under the brand name Diovan HCT among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure when valsartan is not sufficient. It is a combination of valsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker with hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. It is taken by mouth.
Losartan/hydrochlorothiazide, sold under the brand name Hyzaar among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication used to treat high blood pressure when losartan is not sufficient. It consists of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide. It is taken by mouth.
Hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene, also known as co-triamterzide, is a fixed-dose combination medication of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene. It is used to treat high blood pressure and edema (swelling). Specifically it is used in those who develop low blood potassium (hypokalemia) when on only hydrochlorothiazide. It is taken by mouth.
Olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide, sold under the brand name Benicar HCT among others, is a fixed-dose combination medication used to treat high blood pressure. It is a combination of olmesartan medoxomil, an angiotensin II receptor blocker and hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. It may be used if olmesartan is not sufficient to manage blood pressure. It is taken by mouth.
Lisinopril/amlodipine, sold under the brand name Lisonorm among others, is a medication used to treat high blood pressure. It is a combination of lisinopril an ACE inhibitor with amlodipine a calcium channel blocker. It may be used when blood pressure is not well controlled with each of the two agents alone. It is taken by mouth.
