What are the main side effects of taking blood pressure medication to control hypertension?

Doctor's Answers 1

Hypertension is a common chronic health condition that people tend to overlook as the damage inflicted on the body is usually insidious in the early stages. By the time you start experiencing symptoms, there is usually already damage from the exposure to prolonged untreated/poorly treated high blood pressure or grossly elevated blood pressure. So if your doctor gives you blood pressure medications, please be compliant with your medicine! Should you develop side effects, consult your doctor before adjusting your medications - you might need to change your dose or type of medicine. It is important not to stop your medicines without telling your doctor as it may lead to serious complications, such as kidney damage, stroke, heart attack, death.

There are different classes of antihypertensives. Each class will have its own benefits and potential side effects. Your doctor will choose the appropriate type for you - your age and comorbidities (eg. diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease) will also play a role in the decision made.

These are some commonly prescribed antihypertensives and their side effects:

  1. Calcium channel blockers (CCB) — e.g. amlodipine, nifedipine

> Leg swelling, headache, flushing, overgrowth of gum tissue

  1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi)e.g. enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril

> Cough, kidney impairment, raised potassium, rash, angioedema

3. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)e.g. losartan

> Raised potassium, angioedema

4. Diuretics — e.g. hydrochlorothiazide

> Increased urination, electrolytes abnormalities, raised cholesterol levels, raised uric acid → gout attack

5. Beta-blockers — e.g. atenolol, bisoprolol

> Slow heart rate, fatigue, insomnia, low mood, raised triglycerides

Similar Questions

How to reduce and lower high blood pressure?

Thank you for the question and I am sure its a situation that many people face day-by-day. Our increasingly sedentary lives have a significant impact on our health including the risk of developing hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, obesity and heart disease. EXERCISE can have a positive impact on your BP and certainly can help bring it down to a safe level. Indeed, there are some cases where people care able to COME OFF medication with exercise! In your case it maybe a combination of exercise together with dietary changes.

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Answered By

Dr Dinesh Sirisena

Sport Medicine

What should I do if I run out of blood pressure medication and it is no longer available?

Atenolol belongs to a group of medication called Betablocker. Besides atenolol, there are also other medications belonging to this group. Such as: bisoprolol,metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol etc. There is also eye drop preparation that contains betablocker such as timolol ophthalmic solution. Beta-blockers are mainly used to treat the following conditions: Angina, or chest pain Heart failure High blood pressure Excessive thyroid activity Atrial fibrillation (a form of irregular heartbeat) Myocardial infarction, or heart attack Glaucoma But beta blockers have their own downsides.

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