Before one starts taking the prescribed medication for high blood pressure, it is important to keep certain guidelines in mind. If there are unexplained complications to high BP, other drugs may also be prescribed. No matter, what may be one's treatment, one can follow the guidelines to be safe:
It is helpful to know the names of the these medicines taken and their workings. For instance, it is advisable to know about the brand name, generic and side effects and so on. Keep the list of the medication handy.
The medications need to be taken at the same time every day (as far as possible). Any change in the schedule should be only done after consultation with the doctor. Even if there is an improvement in condition, stopping medication can lead to extreme deterioration.
In the event of change in doctors, the replacement should be updated about the medications taken or the change in the quantity in medicine
It is recommended to keep a medicine calendar handy. The medicine calendar can have the name of the drug, and should be marked accordingly, with every dose taken.
It is important to follow a routine for taking medication. To use a pillbox which are marked with the days of the week, is useful.
One must not reduce the intake of the recommended dosage to save on finances. It is mandatory to take the entire amount for the necessary benefits. If the cost is too high, one may talk to the doctor for cheaper and equally effective medicines.
If one forgets to take a dose at a particular time, it should be taken as soon as possible. However, if it coincides with the time of the next dose, one should skip the previous dose and take the other at its proper time. Blood pressure medication should not be overcompensated by taking two doses at one time.
One should refrain from taking herbal therapies or over-the-counter drugs unless consulted with the doctor beforehand. Drugs have the potential to interact with each other and cause nasty effects.
There are different types of BP medication and they should be taken as per requirement. The medicines and their properties are listed as below:
Beta-blockers: These medicines reduce the nerve impulses or stimuli to the blood vessels and the heart. This can enable the heart to beat slower, which means lesser exertion. This helps in the fall of blood pressure
Diuretic: They are sometimes referred to as "water pills" because they work in the kidney and flush out the extra salt and water from the body.
ACE inhibitors: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II which usually causes blood vessels to narrow.
Angiotensin antagonist: These medicines shield the blood vessels from angiotensin II. This helps the vessels to expand in width and reduction in pressure too.
Alpha blockers: These reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels which allow blood to pass more easily and the blood pressure to fall.
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