{"id":8844,"date":"2026-06-01T06:38:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T06:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/telyrx.com\/blog\/?p=8844"},"modified":"2026-06-23T22:39:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T22:39:57","slug":"common-blood-pressure-medication-types","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/telyrx.com\/blog\/high-blood-pressure\/common-blood-pressure-medication-types\/","title":{"rendered":"The Most Common Blood Pressure Medication Types & Names, Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nearly 95 million<\/a> Americans are believed to need medication to help control high blood pressure<\/a> (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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Blood Pressure Medications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug Class<\/strong><\/td>\nCommon Suffixes<\/strong><\/td>\nExamples<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n
ACE inhibitor<\/td>\n-pril<\/td>\nLisinopril, benazepril, ramipril<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Alpha blocker<\/td>\n-osin<\/td>\nDoxazosin, prazosin, terazosin<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)<\/td>\n-artan<\/td>\nLosartan, valsartan, olmesartan<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beta blocker<\/td>\n-olol<\/td>\nMetoprolol, atenolol, propranolol<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Calcium channel blocker (CCB)<\/td>\n-dipine<\/td>\nAmlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diuretic<\/td>\n-mide, -thiazide, -actone<\/td>\nTorsemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vasodilator<\/td>\n-dil<\/td>\nMinoxidil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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<\/em>. In fact, hydralazine is a vasodilator even though it ends in -ine<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is an ACE Inhibitor?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACE inhibitors work by reducing the production of angiotensin II, a chemical your body makes that tightens blood vessels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common ACE Inhibitors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n