Type | Examples | Some Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
Adrenergic blockers | ||
Alpha-blockers | Fainting (syncope) with the first dose, awareness of rapid heartbeats (palpitations), dizziness, low blood pressure when the person stands (orthostatic hypotension), and fluid retention (edema) | |
Beta-blockers |
| With some beta-blockers, an increased triglyceride level |
Alpha-beta blockers | Low blood pressure when the person stands and spasm of the airways | |
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors | ||
— | Cough (in up to 20% of people), low blood pressure, an increased potassium level, rash, angioedema (allergic swelling that affects the face, lips, and windpipe and may interfere with breathing), and, in pregnant women, serious injury to the fetus | |
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) | ||
— |
| Dizziness, an increased potassium level, angioedema (rarer than with ACE inhibitors), and, in pregnant women, serious injury to the fetus |
Calcium channel blockers | ||
Dihydropyridines | Dizziness, fluid retention in the ankles, flushing, headache, heartburn, enlarged gums, and an abnormally fast heart rate (tachycardia) | |
Nondihydropyridines | Headache, dizziness, flushing, fluid retention, problems in the heart's electrical conduction system (including heart block), an abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia), heart failure, and enlarged gums | |
Centrally acting alpha-agonists | ||
— |
| |
Direct vasodilators | ||
— | Headache, an abnormally fast heart rate (tachycardia), and fluid retention | |
Diuretics | ||
Loop diuretics | Decreased levels of potassium and magnesium, temporarily increased levels of blood sugar and cholesterol, an increased level of uric acid, sexual dysfunction in men, and digestive upset | |
Potassium-sparing diuretics | With all, a high potassium level and digestive upset | |
Thiazides and thiazide-like diuretics |
| Decreased levels of potassium and magnesium, increased levels of calcium and uric acid, sexual dysfunction in men, and digestive upset |
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