Which medication class is primarily used to manage hypertension?

The class of medications primarily used to manage hypertension is antihypertensives. These medications are specifically designed to lower blood pressure and aid in the prevention and management of conditions such as stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. Antihypertensives work through various mechanisms, including diuretics that help remove excess fluid from the body, beta-blockers that decrease heart rate and cardiac output, ACE inhibitors that relax blood vessels, and calcium channel blockers that prevent calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells, thereby reducing blood pressure.

Understanding the role of antihypertensives is crucial for pharmacy technicians, as they must recognize these medications when filled and counseled to patients, ensuring proper usage and management of hypertension. This knowledge also distinguishes antihypertensives from medications like antibiotics, which treat infections; antidepressants, which address mood disorders; and analgesics, which are used to relieve pain. Each of these classes serves a different purpose and targets different health conditions.