Hypertension Medication: What Works, What to Avoid, and How to Choose

When you’re dealing with high blood pressure, hypertension medication, a class of drugs designed to lower blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart and arteries. Also known as antihypertensives, these drugs aren’t just pills—they’re tools that can prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney damage if used correctly. But not all hypertension medications are the same. Some work faster, others last longer. Some are cheaper. Some cause more side effects. And some only make sense if you have other conditions like diabetes or heart failure.

There are five main types you’ll hear about: ACE inhibitors, drugs that relax blood vessels by blocking a hormone that narrows them, like lisinopril; beta blockers, medications that slow your heart rate and reduce pumping force, such as metoprolol; calcium channel blockers, which stop calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells to lower pressure, like amlodipine; diuretics, often called water pills that help your body get rid of extra salt and fluid, like hydrochlorothiazide; and ARBs, angiotensin II receptor blockers that do something similar to ACE inhibitors but with fewer coughs, like losartan. Each has its own best use case. For example, diuretics are often the first choice for older adults. ACE inhibitors are preferred if you have diabetes. Beta blockers help if you’ve had a heart attack.

What you won’t find in most doctor’s office handouts is how these drugs interact with other meds you’re taking. If you’re on blood thinners like warfarin or newer options like apixaban, some hypertension meds can raise your bleeding risk. If you’re using NSAIDs for pain, they can cancel out the effect of your blood pressure pills. Even common supplements like licorice root or decongestants can spike your numbers. And while some people swear by magnesium or garlic, the science doesn’t back them up as replacements. The posts below cut through the noise. You’ll find real comparisons—like how lisinopril stacks up against losartan, why amlodipine might be better than diltiazem for some, and when a diuretic is the smartest move. No marketing. No guesswork. Just what works, what doesn’t, and what your doctor might not have told you.