Antihypertensive
A
drug used to
lower excessively high blood pressure. The term
hypertension denotes blood pressure above the
normal range. It does not refer to
excessive nervous or emotional tension. The term
antihypertensive is sometimes used
erroneously as if it had the same meaning as
antianxiety (or tranquilizing)
drug action.
Today there are more than 100 drug products in use for
treating hypertension. Those most
frequently prescribed for long-term use fall into three major groups:
Regardless of their
mode of action, all these drugs share an ability to lower the
blood pressure. It is important to remember that many other
drugs can interact with
antihypertensive drugs: some add to their effect and cause excessive reduction in
blood pressure; others
interfere with their action and reduce their
effectiveness. Anyone who is taking medications for hypertension should consult with his or her
physician whenever drugs are prescribed for the treatment of other conditions as well.
--From The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs