Types of medicine
What Is an Antihypertensive? Blood Pressure Medicines
Antihypertensive · say it: an-tee-hy-per-TEN-sivAlso written: antihypertensives, blood pressure medicine, antihypertensive agent, BP medication
Short answer
An antihypertensive is any medicine used to lower high blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers or diuretics.
What it means
Antihypertensive is an umbrella term for medicines that lower high blood pressure (hypertension). There are several classes, each working in a different way: ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers relax blood vessels through a hormone system, calcium channel blockers relax artery muscles, diuretics help the kidneys remove salt and water, and beta-blockers slow the heart. Many people take more than one.
The word appears on labels in the 'Indications' section and in interaction warnings. A label may say a medicine 'may add to the effect of other antihypertensives', meaning blood pressure could drop too low, causing dizziness or fainting, especially when standing up. Some over-the-counter labels, such as decongestants and NSAIDs, say to ask a doctor if you have high blood pressure, because they can raise it or reduce the effect of blood pressure medicines.
'Antihypertensive' describes what a medicine does, not a single drug. Hypotension, the opposite of hypertension, means low blood pressure, which can be a side effect if treatment lowers it too much.
Where you may see it
- The 'Indications' and 'Drug Interactions' sections of medicine labels
- Over-the-counter decongestant and NSAID warnings
- Medication lists in clinic letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Use with other antihypertensive agents may increase the risk of hypotension.
🙅 What it does not mean
- An antihypertensive is not one medicine; it is a group of many different classes.
- Feeling well does not mean blood pressure is controlled; it often has no symptoms.
- Dizziness on standing does not always mean you should stop; tell your doctor, who may adjust the dose.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Antihypertensive”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Aripiprazole
an atypical antipsychotic medicine
- Hydrochlorothiazide
A thiazide diuretic, a type of medicine often called a 'water pill'
- Ibuprofen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a type of medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and fever
- Olanzapine
An atypical antipsychotic, a prescription medicine used for certain mental health conditions
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Antihypertensive” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.