This article was originally published on March 8, 2022
This page lists medications in the 5 major categories of antihypertensive medications used as first-line treatments (as of March 2022). These 5 categories are:
1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
2. Angiotensin II receptor blockers
3. Thiazide diuretics
4. Calcium channel blockers—Dihydropyridines
5. Calcium channel blockers—Non-dihydropyridines
Note: In each section, the medications are listed alphabetically.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Benazepril (Lotensin®)
Captopril (Capoten®)
Cilazapril
Enalapril (Vasotec®)
Enalaprilat (Vasotec® IV)
Fosinopril (Monopril®)
Lisinopril (Prinivil®, Zestril®)
Moexipril (Univasc®)
Perindopril (Aceon®)
Quinapril (Accupril®)
Ramipril (Altace®)
Trandolapril (Mavik®)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Azilsartan (Edarbi®)
Candesartan (Atacand®)
Eprosartan (Teveten®)—No longer available in the United States
Irbesartan (Avapro®)
Losartan (Cozaar®)
Olmesartan (Benicar®)
Telmisartan (Micardis®)
Valsartan (Diovan®)
Thiazide diuretics
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton®). Among the thiazide diuretics, chlorthalidone is preferred because it has a long half-life and has been shown in clinical trials to reduce cardiovascular disease (Whelton et al., 2018).
Hydrochlorothiazide (generic, Esidrix®, Hydrodiuril®, Microzide®, Oretic®, Zide®)
Indapamide (Lozol®)
Metolazone (Zaroxolyn®)
Calcium channel blockers—Dihydropyridines
Amlodipine (Amvaz®, Katerzia®, Norvasc®)
Clevidipine (Cleviprex®)
Felodipine (Plendil®)
Flunarizine
Isradipine (DynaCirc®)
Levamlodipine (Conjupri®): Approved by FDA but not yet
Nicardipine (Cardene®, Cardene® SR)
Nifedipine (Adalat®, Adalat® CC, Afeditab® CR, Nifedical® XL, Nifeditab® CR, Procardia)
Nimodipine (Nimotop®, Nymalize®)
Nisoldipine (Sular®)
Calcium channel blockers—Non-dihydropyridines
Diltiazem SR (sustained-release) (Cardizem® SR)
Diltiazem ER (extended-release) Cardizem® CD
Verapamil IR (immediate-release) (Calan®, Verelan®, Isoptin®)
Verapamil delayed-onset ER (delayed onset extended-release) (Calan® SR)
Note: There are many more antihypertensive medications that are considered to be “secondary agents” (Whelton et al., 2018). They are not listed on this page.
Related Pages
Lithium and antihypertensives: Be careful!
How to correctly measure blood pressure
Should we use automated blood pressure instruments?
High blood pressure has been redefined in 2017
References
Al-Makki A, DiPette D, Whelton PK, Murad MH, Mustafa RA, Acharya S, Beheiry HM, Champagne B, Connell K, Cooney MT, Ezeigwe N, Gaziano TA, Gidio A, Lopez-Jaramillo P, Khan UI, Kumarapeli V, Moran AE, Silwimba MM, Rayner B, Sukonthasan A, Yu J, Saraffzadegan N, Reddy KS, Khan T. Hypertension Pharmacological Treatment in Adults: A World Health Organization Guideline Executive Summary. Hypertension. 2022 Jan;79(1):293-301. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.121.18192. Epub 2021 Nov 15. PMID: 34775787; PMCID: PMC8654104.
Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, Casey DE Jr, Collins KJ, Dennison Himmelfarb C, DePalma SM, Gidding S, Jamerson KA, Jones DW, MacLaughlin EJ, Muntner P, Ovbiagele B, Smith SC Jr, Spencer CC, Stafford RS, Taler SJ, Thomas RJ, Williams KA Sr, Williamson JD, Wright JT Jr. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Hypertension. 2018 Jun;71(6):1269-1324. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000066. Epub 2017 Nov 13. Erratum in: Hypertension. 2018 Jun;71(6):e136-e139. Erratum in: Hypertension. 2018 Sep;72(3):e33. PMID: 29133354.
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