Drug Side Benefit

Blood-pressure drugs fight headaches, but they should not be used solely to control headaches. An analysis of nearly 100 research studies shows that hypertension drugs cut incidence of headaches by an average of 33%. Beta-blockers—the class that includes carvedilol (Coreg) and metoprolol (Lopressor)—have the greatest effect. Other blood-pressure medications shown to reduce headaches include ACE inhibitors, such as quinapril (Accupril)...angiotensin II receptor antagonists, such as losartan (Cozaar)..and thiazides, such as hydrochlorothiazide.