Class | Suffix | Common Medications | How it Works |
ACE Inhibitors | - pril | Benazepril (Lotensin) Enalapril (Vasotec) Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) Quinapril (Accupril) |
When blood vessels dilate, it increases the amount of blood pumped by the heart and lowers blood pressure |
Beta Blockers | - olol | Atenolol (Tenormin) Bisoprolol (Zebeta) Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL) Propranolol (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL) |
Beta blockers make the heart beat more slowly and with less force, which lowers blood pressure |
Calcium Channel Blockers | - pine | Amlodipine (Norvasc) Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac) Nifedipine (Procardia) Nisoldipine (Sular) |
Calcium channel blockers cause the arterial blood vessel walls to relax and expand |
Diuretics | - ide | Chlorthalidone (Hygroton) Hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril) Loop diuretics: Furosemide (Lasix) Bumetanide (Bumex) Torsemide (Demadex) |
Diuretics rid the body of excess water and sodium and are often used in combination with other therapies |