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This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

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Australian Prescriber Vol. 28 No. 2 2005

Blood pressure

There are five main types of medicine for treating high blood pressure. These medicines aim to reduce heart attacks and strokes by lowering blood pressure. It does not matter which drug is used, if it is safe and effectively lowers the blood pressure.

If two medicines work equally well, then it makes sense to take the cheaper medicine. The cheapest medicines for high blood pressure are fluid tablets (thiazide diuretics).

Each patient needs the medicines that suit them best. Some people may not be able to take a thiazide, for example if they have gout.

Often more than one medicine is needed to control the patient's blood pressure. Thiazides are therefore sometimes used in combination with other medicines.