Hypertension Medications

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Hypertension Medications

• By Elizabeth Rangel
• University of the Incarnate Word

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Brief Description of Disease

• What Is High Blood Pressure?
• High blood pressure, or hypertension, comes from
  blood pushing too hard against your blood
  vessels. A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mm
  Hg.
• High blood pressure affects 1 in 4 American
  adults.
• Hypertension is dangerous because it causes the
  heart to work extra hard. This strain contributes
  to heart attacks and stroke. When the heart is
  forced to work extra hard for an extended period
  of time, it tends to enlarge. A slightly enlarged
  heart can function well, but a significantly
  enlarged heart cannot. High blood pressure also
  causes damage to the arteries, causing arterial
  disease.

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Medications

• There are many kinds of medications for high
  blood pressure but here are three we choose
• Brand Generic
• Cardura Doxazosin
• Catapres Clonidine
• Hytrin terazosin

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Medication Actions

• Cardura (Doxazosin)
• Doxazosin is used alone or in combination with
  other drugs to treat hypertension (high blood
  pressure).
• It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can
  flow more easily. Lowering high blood pressure
  helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney
  problems.

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Medication Classification

• Antihypertensive

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Side Effects

• dizziness
• lightheadedness
• nausea
• drowsiness
• trouble sleeping
• weight gain
• joint/muscle pain
• decreased sexual ability/interest may occur

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Route and Dosage

• Take this medication by mouth with or without
  food, usually once daily or as directed by your
  doctor.
• TAKE 1 mg every day
• To avoid injury related to dizziness or fainting,
  take your first dose of doxazosin at bedtime.
  Your dose may be gradually increased.
• Dosage is based on your medical condition and
  response to therapy.

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Auxiliary labels

• This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Use
  caution while driving, using machinery, or doing
  any activity that requires alertness. Limit
  alcoholic beverages.
• Before having surgery (including cataract eye
  surgery), tell your doctor or dentist that you
  are taking this medication.
• The elderly may be at greater risk for dizziness
  and low blood pressure while using this drug.
• During pregnancy, this medication should be used
  only when clearly needed.

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Special information about cardura

• STORAGE Store at room temperature below 86
  degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and
  moisture.
• Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines
  away from children and pets.

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Medication actions

• Catapres ( Clonidine)
• This medication is used to treat high blood
  pressure.
• It works by stimulating certain brain receptors
  (alpha adrenergic type) which results in the
  relaxing of blood vessels in other parts of your
  body, causing them to widen. Lowering high blood
  pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks,
  and kidney problems.

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Medication Classification

• Antihypertensive

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Side Effects

• Dizziness
• lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• dry mouth
• constipation may occur as your body adjusts to
• the medication

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Route and Dosage

• Take this medication by mouth, usually twice
  daily (in the morning and at bedtime) or as
  directed by your doctor.
• Take 75 mg every day by mouth with or without
  food
• The dosage is based on your medical condition
  and response to therapy.

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Auxiliary labels

• This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy use
  caution engaging in activities requiring
  alertness such as driving or using machinery.
• Limit alcoholic beverages.
• Caution is advised when using this drug in the
  elderly because they may be more sensitive to its
  effects, especially dizziness.
• Caution is advised when using this drug in
  children. If they cannot take doses of this
  medication due to vomiting from stomach/abdominal
  illnesses, they may be at increased risk for
  developing rebound hypertension
• This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your
  doctor before breast-feeding.

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Special information about catapres

• Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction
  programs, exercise, and dietary changes may
  increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
• This medication is also used in men to treat the
  symptoms of a prostate gland condition called BPH
  (benign prostate hyperplasia, also known as
  enlarged prostate).

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Medication actions

• Hytrin ( Terazosin)
• Hytrin is prescribed to reduce high blood
  pressure.
• It may be used alone or in combination with
  other blood pressure lowering drugs.

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Medication Classification

• Antihypertensive

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Side Effects

• fatigue
• nausea
• drowsiness
• blurred vision
• headache
• stuffy nose
• lightheadedness
• dizziness

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Route and Dosage

• Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily
  at bedtime or as directed by your doctor.
• Take 1mg by mouth daily , may increase dose
  slowly to desired response not to exceed 20 mg a
  day.
• Dosage is based on your medical condition, use of
  other medications, and response to therapy.

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Auxiliary labels

• This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy.
• You should avoid driving.
• Limit alcoholic beverages.
• To reduce the risk of dizziness and fainting,
  caution is advised when standing for long
  periods. Avoid getting overheated during exercise
  or hot weather.
• This medication should be used only when clearly
  needed during pregnancy.

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Special information about hytrin

• Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed
  periodically to monitor your progress or check
  for side effects. Consult your doctor for more
  details.