Which type of drug is primarily used to manage high blood pressure?

Diuretics are primarily used to manage high blood pressure because they work by facilitating the removal of excess sodium and water from the body through urine. This reduction in fluid volume decreases the overall blood volume, which in turn lowers the pressure in the blood vessels. Diuretics are often one of the first-line treatments for hypertension and can be effective in reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke associated with high blood pressure.

In contrast, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, analgesics relieve pain, and corticosteroids are often used for inflammation and immune responses rather than for managing blood pressure. Therefore, the action mechanism and purpose of diuretics uniquely position them as the go-to pharmacological choice for hypertension.