Your doctor may prescribe antihypertension medication if your
blood pressure is high. There are several kinds of medication
commonly taken alone or in combination, according to the
American Heart Association (AHA). Diuretics help to lower blood
pressure by eliminating excess fluid and salt that accumulate in
the body. The excess fluid is eliminated in the urine. Examples
of commonly prescribed diuretics are furosemide (Lasix),
hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril), chlorothiazide
(Diuril), spironolactone (Aldactone) and ethacrynic acid
(Edecrin). These keep the heart from pumping too hard by
blocking the action of the hormones that normally increase heart
rate and cardiac output. Examples of commonly prescribed beta
blockers are atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol
XL), nadolol (Corgard) and propranolol (Inderal). Alpha blockers
prohibit the production of a hormone that makes the blood
vessels constrict. Examples of alpha blockers are doxazosin
(Cardura), prazosin (Minipress) and terazosin