Download Heart Medications

Heart Medications
After you leave the hospital, your medications may change. It is important that you
understand the purpose of the medications you are taking. Some types of drugs are used for
more than one purpose.
Prevent Blood Clot Formation
Aspirin (Bayer Aspirin, Ecotrin) – Adult (325 mg) or Baby (81 mg)
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
Fragmin (Dalteparin)
Dipyridamole (Persantine)
This type of medication is also called blood thinners or anti-coagulants. People who have
blockages in their arteries or are at risk for blood clots may be on a blood thinner for a short
term or for the rest of your life.
Control Heart Rhythm And Rate
Beta Blockers
Anti-arrhythmics
Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne)
Mexiletine (Mexitil)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
Propafenone (Rythmol)
Propanolol (Inderal)
Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
Carvedilol (Coreg)
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac)
Nadolol (Corgard)
Sotalol (Betapace)
Calcium Channel Blockers
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac)
Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)
Quinidine (Quinaglute)
Tikosyn (Dofetilde)
Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)
Digitalis Digoxin (Lanoxin, Digitek)
These medications are used to treat the rapid heart rate and irregular heart rhythms. As the
heart heals, the rapid heart rate may returns to a normal range of 50 to 100 beats per minute.
Check your pulse each day and call your doctor if your heart rate is below 50 beats per
minute, over 120 beats per minute or is irregular.
Control High Blood Pressure
Ace Inhibitors
Benazepril (Lotensin)
Calcium Channel Blockers
Captopril (Capoten)
Enalapril (Vasotec)
Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
Quinapril (Accupril)
Ramipril (Altace)
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers
Losartan (Cozaar)
Valsartan (Diovan)
Other Types of Medications
Clonidine (Catapres)
Doxazosin (Cardura)
Hydralazine (Apresoline)
Terazosin (Hytrin)
Beta blockers
See previous list
Irbesartan (Avapro)
Candesartan (Atacand)
Olmesartan (Benicar)
Controlling blood pressure reduces the work load of the heart. Most people with high blood
pressure take medication for the rest of their lives. Diuretics (water pills) are also used to
control blood pressure. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Prevent Recurrence Of Chest Pain
Nitrates
Isosorbide Dinitrate (Isordil, Sorbitrate)
Isosorbide Mononitrate (Ismo, Imdur)
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
Nitroglycerin ointment or patches
Calcium Channel Blockers
(See previous list)
If you had heart surgery or angioplasty, you may no longer need this type of medication.
These medications cause your blood vessels to open up and allow more blood to pass through
them. Dizziness, headaches or a flushed feeling are common with these medications.
Lower Blood Cholesterol And Triglyceride Levels
Ezetimibe (Zetia)
Statins
Colestipol (Colestid)
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Cholestyramine (Questran)
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
Nicotinic Acid (Niacin, Niaspan)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Fenofibrate (Tricor)
Pravastatin (Pravachol)
Colesevelam (Welchol)
Omega-3-acid Ethyl Esters (Omacor, Fish Oil)
Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin)
If diet alone is not enough, medication may be needed to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride
levels. For best results, maintain a low-fat diet in addition to medication therapy.
Control Pain
After surgery or a procedure, medication may be ordered for a short time for pain control.
Call your doctor if you are having continued pain.
Get Rid Of Excess Fluid
Loop Diuretics
Thiazide Diuretics
Furosemide (Lasix)
Indapamide (Lozol)
Bumetanide (Bumex)
Torsemide (Demadex)
Hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril)
Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
Potassium Sparing
Amiloride (Midamor)
Hydrochlorothiazide/Triamterene (Maxzide, Dyazide)
Spironalactone (Aldactone)
Diuretics remove excess fluid. This decreases the work load of the heart. Some diuretics
cause low potassium levels and often a potassium supplement is needed.
For All Medications
ƒ Carry a current list of medications, including the name, dose and times you take it, with
you at all times. Update this list whenever any medicine is changed (added, deleted, or
dose changed).
ƒ Take your medicines EXACTLY as they are ordered.
ƒ Know your medications – the name, why you take it, how often to take it and possible side
effects.
ƒ Read the information on the pill bottle and the information sheets given to you before
starting a new medication.
ƒ When you leave the hospital, your medicines may have changed. You may not need the
same medicines you were taking before your hospital stay. The dosages may change.
ƒ Before you go home from the hospital, make sure you understand the current list of
medicines your doctor wants you to take at home.
ƒ Don't stop or start any medicines or begin taking any of your old medicines unless told to
do so by your doctor.
ƒ Medicine can have side effects. Report any side effects to your doctor as soon as they
occur.
ƒ To avoid problems with drug interactions, tell your doctor or local pharmacist about all
medicines that you are taking (prescription, over-the-counter and herbals).
ƒ If you have any questions about your medications, call your doctor or local pharmacist.