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Because of the large number of classes and individual drugs in this group, consult specialized references for complete information.
Peripheral vasodilators may cause dizziness and orthostatic hypotension—a rapid lowering of blood pressure when the patient stands up in the morning. Patients
| Antihypertensive Drugs | |
| Brand Name (Generic Name) | Possible Common Side Effects Include: |
| Accupril (quinapril hydrochloride) | Headache, dizziness |
| Aldatazide | Diarrhea, fever, headache, decreased coordination |
| Aldactone (spironolactone) | Cramps, drowsiness, stomach disorders |
| Aldomet (methyldopa) | Fluid retention, headache, weak feeling |
| Altace (ramipril) | Headache, cough |
| Calan, Calan SR (verapamil hydrochloride) | Constipation, fatigue, decreased blood pressure |
| Capoten (captopril) | Decreased sense of taste, decreased blood pressure tiching, rash |
| Cardene (nicardipine Hydrochloride) | Dizziness, headache, indigestion and nausea, increased heartbeat |
| Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride) | Dizziness, fluid retention, headache, nausea, skin rash |
| Cardura (doxazosin mesylate) | Dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache |
| Catapres | Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation |
| Corgard (nadolol) | Behaviorial changes, dizziness, decreased heartbeat, tiredness |
| Corzide | Dizziness, decreased heartbeat, fatigue, cold hands and feet |
| Diuril (chlorothiazide) | Cramps, constipation or diarrhea, dizziness, fever, increased glocose level in urine |
| Dyazide | Blurred vision, muscle and abdominal pain, fatigue |
| DynaCirc (isradipine) | Chest pain, fluid retention, headache, fatigue |
| HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide) | Upset stomach, headache, cramps, loss of appetite |
| Hygroton (chlorthalidone) | Anemia, constipation or diarrhea, cramps, itching |
| Hytrin (terazosin hydrochloride) | Dizziness, labored breathing, nausea, swelling |
| Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) | Constipation or diarrhea, tingling sensation, nausea and vomiting |
| Inderide | Blurred vision, cramps, fatigue, loss of appetite |
| Lasix (furosemide) | Back and muscle pain, indigestion, nausea |
| Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) | Diarrhea, itching/rash, tiredness |
| Lotensin (benazepril hydrochloride) | Nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache |
| Alozol (indapamide) | Anxiety, headache, loss of energy, muscle cramps |
| Maxzide | Cramps, labored breathing, drowsiness, irritated stomach |
| Minipress (prazosin hdrochloride) | Headache, nausea, weakness, dizziness |
| Moduretic | Diarrhea, fatigue, itching, loss of appetite |
| Monopril (fosinopril sodium) | Nausea and vomiting, headache, cough |
| Normodyne (labetalol hydrochloride) | Fatigue, nausea, stuffy nose |
| Plendil (felodipine) | Pain in back, chest, muscles, joints, and abdomen, itching, dry mouth, respiratory problems |
| Procardia, Procardia X (nifedipine) | Swelling, constipation, decreased blood pressure, nausea, fatigue |
| Sectral (acebutolol hydrochloride) | Constipation or diarrhea, gas, chest and joint pain |
| Ser-Ap-Es | Blurred vision, cramps, muscle pain, dizziness |
| Tenex (guanfacine hydrochloride) | Headache, constipation, dry mouth, weakness |
| Tenoretic | Decreased heartbeat, fatigue, nausea |
| Tenormin (atenolol) | Nausea, fatigue, dizziness |
| Veseretic | Diarrhea, muscle cramps, rash |
| Vasotec (enalapril maleate) | Chest pain, blurred vision, constipation or diarrhea, hives, nausea |
| Visken (pindolol) | Muscle cramps, labored breathing, nausea, fluid retention |
| Wytensin (guanabenz acetate) | Headache, drowsiness, dizziness |
| Zaroxolyn (metolazone) | Constipation or diarrhea, chest pain, spasms, nausea |
| Zestoretic (lisinopril hydrochlorothiazide) | Fatigue, headache, dizziness |
| Zestril (lisinopril) | Labored breathing, abdominal and chest pain, nausea, decreased blood pressure |
taking these drugs must be instructed to rise from bed slowly. Pregnancy risk factors for this group are generally category C. Hydralazine has been shown to cause cleft palate in animal studies, but there is no human data available. Breastfeeding is not recommended.
ACE inhibitors are generally well tolerated, but may rarely cause dangerous reactions including laryngospasm and angioedema. Persistent cough is a common side effect. ACE inhibitors should not be used in pregnancy. When used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters, angiotension-converting inhibitors (ACEIs) can cause injury to and even death in the developing fetus. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue the ACE inhibitor as soon as possible. Breastfeeding is not recommended.
ACE II inhibitors are generally well tolerated and do not cause cough. Pregnancy risk factor is category C during the first trimester and category D during the second and third trimesters. Drugs that act directly on the reninangiotensin system can cause fetal and neonatal morbidity and death when administered to pregnant women. Several dozen cases have been reported in patients who were taking ACE inhibitors. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue AIIRAs as soon as possible. Breast feeding is not recommended.
Thiazide diuretics commonly cause potassium depletion. Patients should have potassium supplementation either through diet, or potassium supplements. Pregnancy risk factor is category B (chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, metolazone) or category C (bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, hydroflumethiazide, methyclothiazide, trichlormethiazide). Routine use during normal pregnancy is inappropriate. Thiazides are found in breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended.
Beta blockers may cause a large number of adverse reactions including dangerous heart rate abnormalities. Pregnancy risk factor is category B (acebutolol, pindolol, sotalol) or category C (atenolol, labetalol, esmolol, metoprolol, nadolol, timolol, propranolol, penbutolol, carteolol, bisoprolol). Breastfeeding is not recommended.
— Samuel Uretsky, PharmD
