Why is hydrochlorothiazide prescribed to patients? Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat excessive fluid accumulation and swelling (edema) of the body caused by heart failure, cirrhosis, chronic kidney failure, corticosteroid medications, and nephrotic syndrome. It also is used alone or in conjunction with other blood pressure lowering medications to treat high blood pressure. Although hydrochlorothiazide is …
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What is losartan and hydrochlorothiazide, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hyzaar is a combination of losartan (Cozaar) and hydrochlorothiazide and is used for treating high blood pressure. Losartan is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Other ARBs include irbesartan (Avapro), valsartan (Diovan), and candesartan (Atacand). Angiotensin, formed in …
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What is prazosin-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Prazosin (Minipress) is an oral medicine used to treat high blood pressure. Prazosin is a competitive alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker. By blocking alpha-1 receptors on muscle cesll that surround blood vessels, prazosin causes vasodilation (widening) of the blood vessels, and consequently decreases the resistance of blood flow. The overall …
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What is captopril, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Captopril is an oral drug and a member of a class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are used for treating high blood pressure, heart failure, and for preventing kidney failure due to high blood pressure and diabetes. Other ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), quinapril …
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What is hydralazine-oral, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hydralazine (Apresoline) is an antihypertensive medication used to treat high blood pressure. It is a peripheral arterial vasodilator and causes relaxation of blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart and towards the organs and tissues. The exact mechanism of how hydralazine causes arterial smooth muscle relaxation is …
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What is candesartan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Candesartan cilexetil (candesartan) is a drug used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension). It is in a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) which includes losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), and irbesartan (Avapro). Angiotensin, formed in the blood by the action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), is a …
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What is irbesartan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Irbesartan is an oral medication that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetic nephropathy or kidney disease. It belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) which also includes valsartan (Diovan), losartan (Cozaar), and candesartan (Atacand). Angiotensin, formed in the blood by the …
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What are thiazide diuretics, and how do they work? Thiazide diuretics (water pills) are medications that are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and reduce fluid accumulation in the body. They work by reducing the ability of the kidneys to reabsorb salt and water from the urine and into the body thereby increasing the production and output of urine …
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What is doxazosin mesylate, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Doxazosin is an oral drug used for treating high blood pressure and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland). It belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 adrenergic blockers. Other drugs in this class include alfuzosin (Uroxatral), terazosin (Hytrin), tamsulosin (Flomax), …
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What is losartan, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Losartan is an oral medication that belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). Other ARBs include irbesartan (Avapro), valsartan (Diovan), and candesartan (Atacand). Angiotensin formed in the blood by the action of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) is a powerful chemical that attaches to angiotensin receptors …
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