Which type of medication is commonly prescribed to manage high blood pressure?

Antihypertensives are specifically designed to manage high blood pressure, or hypertension. These medications work by various mechanisms to relax blood vessels, reduce heart rate, or decrease the volume of blood the heart pumps, all of which contribute to lowering blood pressure. Common classes of antihypertensives include diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers, among others.

Other categories of medications do not target blood pressure regulation. For instance, antidepressants are primarily used to treat mood disorders, antibiotics are used to combat infections, and antihistamines are typically employed for allergic reactions and symptoms such as sneezing and itching. Therefore, antihypertensives are the appropriate choice for effectively managing high blood pressure.