There are many types of medicines available to help lower your blood pressure. It is important to take your medicine regularly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Otherwise, the medicine may not work, cause undesired unwanted side effects, or result in harm to your body. Read more below.

Below are the common groups of high blood pressure medicines:

• Diuretics work on the kidneys to get rid of the extra water and ​salts in the body.
• B​eta Blocke​rs reduce heart rate and the amount of blood pumped out by the heart.
• Calcium Channel Blockers lower blood pressure by relaxing and widening blood vessels.
• Alpha Blockers​ relax and widen blood vessels to lower blood pressure.
  
• Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors reduce the production of a substance called angiotensin II which causes the blood vessels to narrow. 
  
• Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) blocking the effects of a substance called Angiotensin II at the blood vessel walls.
• Vasodilators​ act directly on blood vessels, causing them to widen.

Click to read more patient information about Hyper​tension and self-care tips​​.​​​​​

​​​​​​Type 2 diabetes happens when your body does not make enough insulin or when your body cannot make use of the insulin properly. There are many types of medicines available to control Type 2 diabetes.

You might need to take more than 1 medicine to control your condition. It is important to take your medicine regularly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist. Otherwise, the medicine may not work, cause unwanted side effects, or result in harm to your body.

The common groups of diabetes medicines are listed below:

• Sulphonylureas help the pancreas to release more insulin
• Meglitinides help the pancreas to release more insulin
• Biguanides help the body to use insulin better and decrease the amount of sugar made by the liver
• a - glucosidase inhibitors help to stop the quick rise in blood sugar after a meal
• DPP-IV inhibitor help to increase insulin release after a meal and decrease amount of sugar made by the liver
• SGLT-2 inhibitors remove excess sugar from the body through the urine.
• Insulin replace insulin in the body

Please click here ​to learn more about the medicines pre​scribed under the different groups stated above, possible side effects, and what you need to take note of when taking the medicine.

More Information on Insulin

People born with diabetes have what is known as Type 1 Diabetes. This condition can be managed through the use of insulin injections.

Some Type 2 Diabetes patients also use insulin to control their condition.

Please click here ​to learn more about insulin, how to use it, possible side effects, and precautions to take note of when taking the medicine.

Polypharmacy means using different medicines at the same time. These include medicines that are bought using a doctor's prescription or bought over-the-counter.

If you are 65 years or older, you might also be taking one or more medicines prescribed to you by your doctor. You might also be taking some health products that can be bought over-the-counter without a prescription. 

Taking these medicines at the same time means that some of these medicines may interact with each other. This might cause some side effects and other dangerous effects.

If you are taking different medicines at the same time, please read on​ ​to find out how to avoid unwanted medicine interactions that can cause side effects.​