Blood Pressure Medications: Understanding Potential Side Effects

Adverse effects of blood pressure-lowering drugs are specific to the classification of the drugs. Classifications include diuretics, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors.

Diuretics

• Adverse effects of blood pressure-lowering drugs classified as diuretics include hypokalemia (decreased blood potassium level) and an increase in blood glucose level in the diabetic patient. Hypokalemia can cause muscle cramps and cardiac rhythm disturbances.

Calcium Channel Blockers

• Calcium channel blockers' adverse effects include heart palpitation, ankle edema (swelling), headache, dizziness and faintness.

Beta Blockers

• Beta blockers' adverse affects include fatigue, bradycardia (slow heart rate), cold extremities, difficulty breathing, and impotence in men.

ACE Inhibitors

• AACE inhibitors' adverse affects include chronic cough, taste dyscrasias, and kidney function abnormality. Chronic cough is dose related and can be managed with a lower dose, if appropriate.

Considerations

• Each classification of blood pressure-lowering drug has side effects unique to them. The physician can determine the seriousness of the adverse reactions and recommend appropriate alternatives.