What medications are used to treat primary hypertension?

Nov 06, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Primary hypertension is a common chronic cardiovascular disease that requires standardized medication to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications. Patients may take medications such as nifedipine controlled-release tablets, irbesartan tablets, metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets, enalapril tablets, and hydrochlorothiazide tablets as prescribed by their doctor. It is also important to maintain a low-salt diet in daily life and reduce the intake of pickled vegetables and preserved foods.

Primary hypertension is a common chronic cardiovascular disease that requires standardized medication to control blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as nifedipine controlled-release tablets, irbesartan tablets, metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets, enalapril tablets, and hydrochlorothiazide tablets for treatment. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Nifedipine Controlled-Release Tablets

This medication belongs to calcium channel blockers. It works by preventing calcium ions from entering vascular smooth muscle cells, thereby dilating systemic blood vessels and reducing peripheral resistance to achieve a blood pressure-lowering effect. The antihypertensive effect is stable and long-lasting, making it suitable for mild, moderate, and severe primary hypertension. It is also well tolerated in elderly patients with hypertension.

2. Irbesartan Tablets

This drug is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist that blocks the binding of angiotensin II to its receptors, inhibiting vasoconstriction and sodium-water retention, thus lowering blood pressure. It has a mild antihypertensive effect and provides certain protective benefits for the heart and kidneys. It is particularly suitable for hypertensive patients with diabetic nephropathy.

3. Metoprolol Succinate Extended-Release Tablets

This medication is a beta-blocker that lowers blood pressure by inhibiting cardiac beta receptors, slowing heart rate, reducing myocardial contractility, decreasing cardiac output, and suppressing renin release. It is suitable for hypertensive patients with coexisting coronary heart disease or angina pectoris. Caution should be exercised when using this drug in patients with bronchial asthma.

4. Enalapril Tablets

This is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that reduces blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of ACE, thereby decreasing the production of angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation. It can also improve vascular endothelial function and is suitable for hypertensive patients with concomitant heart failure. Some patients may experience dry cough as an adverse reaction.

5. Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets

This is a thiazide diuretic that lowers blood pressure by promoting renal excretion of sodium and water, thereby reducing blood volume. It has a definite antihypertensive effect and is suitable for mild to moderate hypertension. It is often used in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. Long-term use requires monitoring of electrolyte levels.

In daily life, maintaining a low-salt diet, reducing intake of pickled vegetables and preserved foods, keeping regular作息 (sleep-wake cycles), avoiding late nights and excessive fatigue, and engaging in moderate physical exercise are all beneficial for stable blood pressure control.

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