high blood pressure

What are the differences between metolazone and thiazide diuretics? Metolazone and thiazide diuretics are diuretics ("water pills") used to treat high blood pressure and fluid accumulation. Brand names for metolazone include Zaroxolyn, Mykrox, and Diulo. Side effects of metolazone and thiazide diuretics that are similar include low blood potassium (hypokalemia), low blood magnesium (hypomagnesemia), dizziness, …

What are the differences between indapamide and thiazide diuretics? Indapamide and thiazides are diuretics (water pills) used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and accumulation of excess fluid (edema), which may result from congestive heart failure. Side effects of indapamide and thiazide diuretics that are similar include low blood potassium (hypokalemia), muscle weakness, low blood magnesium (hypomagnesemia), increased uric acid …

What is valsartan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? WARNING [update 10/15/2019]: Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration posted a warning letter to Torrent Pharmaceuticals in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Torrent manufactures losartan potassium tablets and has been one subject of an ongoing global investigation into nitrosamine impurities in angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as valsartan, losartan …

What are ACE inhibitors, and how do they work (mechanism of action)? Angiotensin II is a very potent chemical produced by the body that primarily circulates in the blood. It causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract, thereby narrowing the vessels. The narrowing of the vessels increases the pressure within the vessels causing increases in blood pressure (hypertension). Angiotensin …

What is labetalol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Labetalol is a drug used for treating high blood pressure and is related to carvedilol (Coreg). Nerves from the adrenergic nervous system travel from the spinal cord to arteries where they release norepinephrine. Norepinephrine attaches to adrenergic receptors on arteries and causes the arteries to contract, narrowing the arteries, …

What is felodipine, and how does it work? Felodipine is an oral calcium channel blocker (CCB) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) class. Other calcium channel blockers in the DHP class include: nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat) amlodipine (Norvasc) nisoldipine (Sular) nicardipine (Cardene) isradipine (Dynacirc) Calcium is necessary for muscle cells to contract. Felodipine prevents calcium from being released within the muscle cells of …

What is portal hypertension? Portal hypertension occurs when blood flow through the liver is obstructed. The liver serves many purposes within the body from making carbohydrates, proteins and fats to synthesizing bile to help digest food. Because of this, the liver requires a significant blood supply. As opposed to other organs in the body, the majority of this blood supply …

What is betaxolol, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Betaxolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking drug (beta-blocker). The nerves of the sympathetic nervous system — a subdivision of the autonomic nervous system — release a chemical related to adrenaline that binds to the heart-rate controlling cells in the heart as well as the muscles of the heart. Binding causes …

What is nisoldipine, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Nisoldipine is an oral calcium channel blocker (CCB) of the dihydropyridine (DHP) class that is used to treat high blood pressure. Other calcium channel blockers in the DHP class include nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), and isradipine (Dynacirc). Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering …

What is benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Lotensin HCT is a combination of two drugs, benazepril and hydrochlorothiazide. Benazepril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that is used for treating high blood pressure. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril (Accupril), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), ramipril (Altace), moexipril (Univasc) and trandolapril (Mavik). ACE …