Each blood pressure drug has its own side effects. Learn about the different types of blood pressure medication side effects.
There are different types of high blood pressure medications available, each with its own side effects. The following is a list of the side effects you may experience for each different type of medication.
Diuretics
These flush extra water and sodium from your body, so you may experience extra urination as well as erection problems. Moreover, you may experience weakness, leg cramps, and fatigue and in rare cases, intense and sudden foot pain.
Beta-Blockers
These will make your heart beat more slowly and may cause asthma symptoms and cold extremities. In addition, they may cause erection problems, sleep problems, and depression.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors may cause a dry, hacking cough that lingers and a skin rash or loss of taste. If you experience a dry cough, talk to your doctor and they will prescribe another medication.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
By protecting blood vessels from angiotensin, a hormone that narrows them, these help blood vessels stay open. As a result, you may experience dizziness as a common side effect.
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
These drugs help blood vessels relax by blocking calcium from entering blood vessel cells and the heart muscle. Accordingly, some side effects may include dizziness, swollen ankles, constipation, headaches, and arrhythmia.
Alpha-Blockers
These medications help the blood to flow more easily by reducing nerve impulses to blood vessels. Additionally, you may experience a fast heart rate, lightheadedness, dizziness, or weakness if you stand up suddenly.
Alpha-2 Receptor Agonist
This medication helps lower blood pressure by decreasing activity in the adrenaline-producing area of the nervous system. As a result, you may experience dizziness or drowsiness.
Alpha-Beta-Blockers
These medications are generally received through an IV injection but may be prescribed for people with congestive heart failure. Side effects may include lightheadedness, dizziness, or weakness.
Central Agonists
By controlling nerve impulses, these medications can help relax blood vessels and improve circulation. Some people may experience constipation, dry mouth, fever, anemia, dizziness, drowsiness, or erection problems.
Peripheral Adrenergic Inhibitors
These medications may cause heartburn, dizziness, a stuffy nose, erection problems, and diarrhea. Furthermore, you may experience insomnia or nightmares, in which case you should talk to your doctor about switching medications.
Vasodilators
These medications help open blood vessels and improve circulation but may cause side effects like excessive hair growth. Moreover, they may cause fluid retention, headaches, arrhythmia, joint pain, and swelling around the eyes.
Renin Inhibitor
As a newer class of high blood pressure medications, these work by decreasing the chemicals that tighten blood vessels. Furthermore, they may cause heartburn, coughing, a rash, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
What if medications bother you?
If the medication you’re currently taking has side effects that bother you, talk to your doctor. They can help you find a drug that works to lower blood pressure with minimal side effects.
However, if you still don’t need to take medication, consider other options like health supplements. L-arginine Plus is a popular heart supplement that helps increase the production of nitric oxide, a vasodilator.
By adding it to your routine, along with some exercise and a healthy diet, you can promote your blood pressure health. Try L-arginine Plus and do what you can right now to decrease the risk of high blood pressure in the future.