There are two main types of medications that are used to treat high blood pressure. They are angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB’s). ACE Inhibitors and ARB’s both affect the renin-angiotensin hormonal system, which helps regulate the blood pressure. The ACE inhibitors work by blocking (inhibiting) an enzyme that converts the inactive form of angiotensin in the blood to its active form. The active form of angiotensin constricts or narrows the arteries, but the inactive form cannot. Ace Inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), captopril (Capoten), lisinopril (Zestril and Prinivil), benazepril(Lotensin), guinapril (Accupril), perindopril (Aceon), ramipril (Altace), ltrandolapril (Mavik), fosinopril (Monopril), and moexipril (Univasc ).

ARB drugs work by blocking the angiotensin receptor (binder) on the arteries to which activated angiotensin must bind to have its effects. As a result, the angiotensin is not able to work on the artery. ARB drugs include losartan (Cozaar), irbesartan (Avapro), valsartan(Diovan), candesartan (Atacand), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan(Micardis), and eprosartan (Teveten).