Nearly 95 million Americans are believed to need medication to help control high blood pressure (hypertension). But with dozens of drugs on the market, it can be hard to keep them straight. Each medication has benefits and drawbacks, and a licensed physician will aim to pick the option that works best for you with the fewest potential side effects.

Knowing how the different types of blood pressure medications work can help you understand your treatment options and have more informed conversations with your doctor.

Overall, lisinopril (Zestril) is one of the most commonly prescribed blood pressure medications. It has been widely used for decades and is often an initial treatment for hypertension. Lisinopril is a type of drug called an ACE inhibitor, which works by relaxing your blood vessels so that your heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump blood through your body.

Types of Blood Pressure Medications

Drug Class Common Suffixes Examples
ACE inhibitor -pril Lisinopril, benazepril, ramipril
Alpha blocker -osin Doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) -artan Losartan, valsartan, olmesartan
Beta blocker -olol Metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol
Calcium channel blocker (CCB) -dipine Amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine
Diuretic -mide, -thiazide, -actone Torsemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone
Vasodilator -dil Minoxidil

The suffix of a generic drug name can tell you what drug class the medication belongs in. However, this is not a universal rule. For example, not all vasodilators end in -dil. In fact, hydralazine is a vasodilator even though it ends in -ine.

What Is an ACE Inhibitor?

An ACE inhibitor medication causes your blood vessels to relax so that blood can flow more easily. A wider passageway means less pressure against the walls of your arteries and veins.

ACE inhibitors work by reducing the production of angiotensin II, a chemical your body makes that tightens blood vessels. 

Common ACE Inhibitors

FAQs About ACE Inhibitors

Is losartan an ACE inhibitor? 

No, losartan is not an ACE inhibitor. It is a different type of blood pressure medication called an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB).

Is valsartan an ACE inhibitor?

No, valsartan is an ARB drug, not an ACE inhibitor.

Is metoprolol an ACE inhibitor?

No. Metoprolol is a beta blocker, not an ACE inhibitor.

What Is a Beta Blocker?

Beta blockers decrease your heart rate and the force of each heartbeat. With the heart pumping less frequently and with less intensity, blood pressure can similarly relax and decline. 

Common Beta Blockers

FAQs About Beta Blockers

Is atorvastatin a beta blocker?

No, atorvastatin is not a beta blocker. It is a type of drug called a statin medication that is used to treat high cholesterol.

Is carvedilol a beta blocker?

Yes, carvedilol (Coreg) is a beta blocker.

Is valsartan a beta blocker?

No, valsartan is an ARB drug, not a beta blocker.

Is lisinopril a beta blocker?

No, lisinopril is not a beta blocker. It is an ACE inhibitor.

Is diltiazem a beta blocker?

No, diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker, not a beta blocker.

ACE Inhibitor vs. Beta Blocker

ACE inhibitors work by relaxing blood vessels, while beta blockers reduce the force and frequency of heartbeats. Both can reduce blood pressure, but ACE inhibitors are more likely to be used as an initial treatment for hypertension. However, ACE inhibitors are usually not recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant due to risk to the developing fetus. 

Beta blockers, on the other hand, are not usually prescribed for people with asthma or other lung conditions. Beta blockers can also mask the symptoms of low blood sugar, which can be a problem for people who take insulin to treat type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

What Is a Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB)?

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) lower blood pressure by relaxing the muscle cells in blood vessel walls, which lets the vessels widen. CCBs do this by keeping calcium from getting into those cells. 

Common Calcium Channel Blockers

FAQs About Calcium Channel Blockers

Is amlodipine a calcium channel blocker?

Yes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker.

Is lisinopril a calcium channel blocker?

No, lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, not a calcium channel blocker.

Beta Blockers vs. Calcium Channel Blockers

Beta blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing the rate and intensity of heartbeats. In contrast, calcium channel blockers work by widening blood vessels. Beta blockers are less likely to be prescribed if you have certain health issues, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes because it can mask severe low blood sugar levels.

What Is an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB)?

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) widen blood vessels by blocking the function of angiotensin II, a chemical that makes them narrower. 

Common ARBs

What Is an Alpha Blocker?

Alpha blockers relax the muscles in blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily, reducing blood pressure. They work by blunting the effect of the hormone norepinephrine. 

Common Alpha Blockers

What Is a Diuretic?

Diuretics for high blood pressure work by causing your kidneys to remove water and salt from your body. This decreases the amount of fluid in your blood vessels, and with less fluid, there’s less pressure. Because the excess fluid is drained through urine, diuretics are commonly called “water pills.” 

Common Diuretics

What Is a Vasodilator?

Vasodilator medications lower blood pressure by relaxing the muscles around your blood vessels. As these muscles relax, blood vessels get wider, allowing for easier blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Common Vasodilators

  • Minoxidil (Loniten)
  • Hydralazine (Apresoline)

Your Next Steps

There’s no single best blood pressure medication. The “right one” depends on your blood pressure goals, your overall health, other conditions you might have, and how your body responds to any given medication. You can talk to your doctor about cost, too, especially if you don’t have insurance and can get cheaper generic versions of the medications through platforms like TelyRx.

A recommended treatment to help you reach your blood pressure goals may also be a combination of drugs. Whatever the treatment, taking your prescribed medication consistently and making impactful changes to your diet and lifestyle can give you the best chance of keeping your blood pressure in a normal range.

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Our experts

Written by

Eric Suni

Eric Suni is a health writer and editor with over 15 years of experience. For more than seven years, he worked at Fred Hutch, Seattle's prestigious cancer research center, as a Science Writer and Information Specialist for the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service. His work has been cited in more than 45 published medical journal articles and has been referenced by the CDC, FDA, The New York Times, and numerous state and local health departments.

Ashley Robinson

Reviewed by

Ashley Robinson, PharmD

Ashley Robinson oversees daily operations at TelyRx's Clearwater pharmacy location, optimizes workflow efficiency, and ensures compliance with regulatory standards while maintaining a strong focus on patient safety and quality of care. She collaborates closely with clinical and operations teams to evaluate new medications, support formulary development, and implement process improvements that enhance both patient outcomes and team performance.

This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content provided here is not a substitute for professional medical advice, consultation, or care from a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the guidance of your physician or another licensed health professional with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Do not disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice based on information read on this site. Learn more about our editorial standards.