How long does it take for blood pressure to be lowered after taking antihypertensive medication?
Due to the different categories of antihypertensive drugs, there are significant variations in how long it takes for them to become effective after taking them. Some antihypertensive drugs can start to lower blood pressure within half an hour after administration, while others may require a week to achieve better results. Furthermore, even within the same type of antihypertensive drug, the chemical composition may differ, resulting in differences in the time it takes for them to work. Therefore, it is essential to take antihypertensive drugs under the guidance of a doctor. In general, antihypertensive drugs usually start to work within half an hour to an hour after administration. However, many long-acting antihypertensive drugs require 2-4 weeks to achieve their maximum efficacy. If a patient's blood pressure does not decrease significantly after taking a certain antihypertensive drug, it is not advisable to rush into switching to another medication. It is possible that the patient may need a combination of drugs or that the current medication has not yet reached its maximum efficacy. It is recommended to observe for a few days before making any changes to avoid causing fluctuations in blood pressure, which can make it difficult to achieve a stable level. In addition to taking antihypertensive drugs, it is also important to observe any adverse reactions associated with the medication. If the adverse reactions are severe, it may be necessary to switch to another medication. At the same time, it is recommended for patients to undergo ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to assess how well their blood pressure is controlled after taking the antihypertensive medication.