Classes of hypertension drugs

Diuretics
Diuretics ("water pills") increase the amount of sodium and water excreted into the urine by the kidneys. It is thought that they lower blood pressure mainly by reducing the volume of fluid in the blood vessels.

Diuretics commonly used for hypertension:
Acetazolamide - Diamox
Chlorthalidone - Thalitone
Hydrochlorothiazide - HydroDiuril, also sold as Microzide and Esidrix
Indapamide - Lozol

Metolazone - Zaroxolyn, also sold as Mykrox

Diuretics less commonly used for hypertension:
Amiloride hydrochloride - Midamor
Bumetanide - Bumex
Ethacrynic acid - Edecrin
Furosemide - Lasix
Spironolactone - Aldactone
Torsemide - Demadex
Triamterene - Dyrenium


Beta-blockers
Beta blockers block the effect of adrenaline on the cardiovascular system, slow the heart rate, and reduce stress on the heart and the arteries. Acebutolol - Sectral
Atenolol - Tenormin
Betaxolol - Kerlone
Bisoprolol - Zebeta, also sold as Ziac
Carteolol - Cartrol
Carvedilol - Coreg
Labetalol - Normodyne, also sold as Trandate
Metoprolol - Lopressor, also sold as Toprol
Nadolol - Corgard
Penbutolol - Levatol
Propranolol - Inderal, Inderal LA
Timolol - Blocadren
Acebutolol - Sectral
Atenolol - Tenormin
Betaxolol - Kerlone
Bisoprolol - Zebeta, also sold as Ziac
Carteolol - Cartrol
Carvedilol - Coreg
Labetalol - Normodyne, also sold as Trandate
Metoprolol - Lopressor, also sold as Toprol
Nadolol - Corgard
Penbutolol - Levatol
Propranolol - Inderal, Inderal LA
Timolol - Blocadren

Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers can reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries and, in some cases, reducing the force of the heart's contractions.

Amlodipine - Norvasc, also sold as Caduet and Lotrel
Diltiazem - Cardizem, also sold as Dilacor and Tiazac
Felodipine - Plendil
Isradipine - DynaCirc
Nicardipine - Cardene
Nifedipine - Procardia XL, also sold as Adalat
Nisoldipine - Sular
Verapamil hydrochloride - Isoptin, also sold as Calan, Verelan, and Covera
Amlodipine - Norvasc, also sold as Caduet and Lotrel
Diltiazem - Cardizem, also sold as Dilacor and Tiazac
Felodipine - Plendil
Isradipine - DynaCirc
Nicardipine - Cardene
Nifedipine - Procardia XL, also sold as Adalat
Nisoldipine - Sular
Verapamil hydrochloride - Isoptin, also sold as Calan, Verelan, and Covera

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
The angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (the "ACE inhibitors") can lower blood pressure by dilating the arteries. Benazepril - Lotensin
Captopril - Capoten
Enalapril - Vasotec, also sold as Vaseretic
Fosinopril - Monopril
Lisinopril - Prinivil, also sold as Zestril
Moexipril - Univasc
Quinapril - Accupril
Ramipril - Altace
Trandolapril - Mavik
Benazepril - Lotensin
Captopril - Capoten
Enalapril - Vasotec, also sold as Vaseretic
Fosinopril - Monopril
Lisinopril - Prinivil, also sold as Zestril
Moexipril - Univasc
Quinapril - Accupril
Ramipril - Altace
Trandolapril - Mavik

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
The angiotensin II receptor blockers (the "ARBs") also reduce blood pressure by dilating the arteries. Candesartan - Atacand
Irbesartan - Avapro
Losartan - Cozaar
Telmisartan - Micardis
Valsartan - Diovan
Candesartan - Atacand
Irbesartan - Avapro
Losartan - Cozaar
Telmisartan - Micardis
Valsartan - Diovan
Other, Less Commonly Used Hypertension Drugs
Clonidine - Catapres
Doxazosin - Cardura
Guanabenz - Wytensin
Guanfacine - Tenex
Hydralazine hydrochloride - Apresoline
Methyldopa - Aldomet
Prazosin - Minipress
Reserpine - Serpasil
Terazosin - Hytrin

Combination Drugs For Hypertension
Amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide - Moduretic
Amlodipine and benazepril - Lotrel
Atenolol and chlorthalidone - Tenoretic
Benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide - Lotensin HCT
Bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide - Ziac
Captopril and hydrochlorothiazide - Capozide
Enalapril and hydrochlorothiazide - Vaseretic
Felodipine and enalapril - Lexxel
Hydralazine and hydrochlorothiazide - Apresazide
Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide - Prinzide, also sold as Zestoretic
Losartan and hydrochlorothiazide - Hyzaar
Methyldopa and hydrochlorothiazide - Aldoril
Metoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide - Lopressor HCT
Nadolol and bendroflumethiazide - Corzide
Propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide - Inderide
Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide - Aldactazide
Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide - Dyazide, also sold as Maxide
Verapamil extended release) and trandolapril - Tarka