‘Know These, Know Peace;’ Side Effects of High Blood Pressure Medications

‘Extra urination, weak erection, over 10 others,’ mild and serious feedbacks your body gives you that makes it important to work closely with your doctor when managing hypertension

Any medication can cause side effects, and medications for high blood pressure (hypertension) are no exception. While many people taking high blood pressure medication have only mild or no side effects, it’s important to work closely with your doctor to manage any side effects you may have. There are lots of ways to manage these issues.

General Guidelines About High Blood Pressure Medication Side Effects
This article lists the side effects that may be caused by each type of high blood pressure drug. First, here are four general warnings.

Never stop taking medication without first talking to your doctor. In some cases, this can be very dangerous, causing a big spike in blood pressure.

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, talk to your doctor about the safest medication to use. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) can cause harmful side effects for pregnant people and their developing babbabies

If you take insulin for diabetes, talk to your doctor. Changes in blood sugar can occur in people with diabetes taking diuretics or beta-blockers for high blood pressure.

If you have problems with erections during sex, talk with your doctor. Some high blood pressure medications can cause this problem. Reducing the dose or changing to another type of medication may help. But high blood pressure itself can also cause erectile dysfunction.

Medications Used to Treat High Blood Pressure
Today, there are more medication options than ever for managing high blood pressure (hypertension). While some side effects — such as dizziness when you stand up — can happen with any drug that lowers your blood pressure, each drug comes with its own potential side effects. So, anytime you get a new prescription for your high blood pressure, be sure to read about it and its possible side effects. You can find a full list on your medication insert.

Here’s what you need to know about each major type.

Diuretics (water pills)

These high blood pressure medications flush extra water and sodium (salt) from your body. Diuretics may cause these side effects:

Extra urination. Extra water out means more time in the bathroom. Take these medications earlier in the day and when you’re not far away from a bathroom.
Erection problems in some men
Weakness, leg cramps, or fatigue. Diuretics may decrease the body’s potassium levels, which can lead to these side effects. Certain potassium-sparing diuretics do not have this effect, however.
Intense and sudden foot pain, which is a symptom of gout — a rare side effect.

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers make your heart beat less forcefully and more slowly. These medications may cause side effects such as:

Asthma symptoms
Cold hands and feet
Depression
Erection problems
Insomnia and sleep problems
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

These high blood pressure medications block the formation of a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow, so vessels relax. ACE inhibitors may cause these side effects: