Cardiac Medications

 Anticoagulants

(Also known as Blood Thinners.)

Commonly prescribed include:

• Apixaban (Eliquis) 
• Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
• Edoxaban (Savaysa)
• Heparin (various)
• Rivaroxaban (Xarelto)
• Warfarin (Coumadin)

What the Medication Does

Decreases the clotting (coagulating) ability of the blood. Sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They do NOT dissolve existing blood clots. Used to treat certain blood vessel, heart, and lung conditions.

Antiplatelet Agents and Dual Antiplatelet Therapy (DAPT)

Commonly prescribed include:

• Aspirin
• Clopidogrel (Plavix)
• Dipyridamole (Persantine)
• Prasugrel (Effient)
• Ticagrelor (Brilinta)

What the Medication Does

Keeps blood clots from forming by preventing blood platelets from sticking together.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

Commonly prescribed include:

• Benazepril (Lotensin)
• Captopril (Capoten)
• Enalapril (Vasotec)
• Fosinopril (Monopril)
• Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
• Moexipril (Univasc)
• Perindopril (Aceon)
• Quinapril (Accupril)
• Ramipril (Altace)
• Trandolapril (Mavik) 

What the Medication Does

Expands blood vessels and decreases resistance by lowering levels of angiotensin II. Allows blood to flow more easily and makes the heart's work easier or more efficient.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (or Inhibitors)

(Also known as ARBs)

Commonly prescribed include:

• Azilsartan (Edarbi)
• Candesartan (Atacand)
• Eprosartan (Teveten)
• Irbesartan (Avapro)
• Losartan (Cozaar)
• Olmesartan (Benicar) 
• Telmisartan (Micardis) 
• Valsartan (Diovan) 

What the Medication Does

Rather than lowering levels of angiotensin II (as ACE inhibitors do) angiotensin II receptor blockers prevent this chemical from having any effect on the heart and blood vessels. This keeps blood pressure from rising.

Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs)

ARNIs are a drug combination of a neprilysin inhibitor and an ARB.

Commonly prescribed include:

• Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)

What the Medication Does

Neprilysin is an enzyme that breaks down natural substances in the body that open narrowed arteries. Limiting the effect of neprilysin increases the effects of these substances and improves artery opening and blood flow reduces sodium (salt) retention and decreases strain on the heart.

 Beta-Blockers

(Also known as Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents)

Commonly prescribed include:

• Acebutolol (Sectral)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Betaxolol (Kerlone)
• Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)
• Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
• Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
• Nadolol (Corgard)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Sotalol (Betapace)

What the Medication Does

Decreases the heart rate and force of contraction, which lowers blood pressure and makes the heart beat more slowly and with less force.

Calcium Channel Blockers

(Also known as Calcium Antagonists or Calcium Blockers)

Commonly prescribed include:

• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
• Nimodipine (Nimotop)
• Nisoldipine (Sular)
• Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)

What the Medication Does

Interrupts the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. May decrease the heart's pumping strength and relax blood vessels.

Cholesterol-Lowering Medications

• Statins: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Fluvastatin (Lescol), Lovastatin (Mevacor), Pitavastatin (Livalo), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Nicotinic acids: Niacin
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitor: Ezetimibe (Zetia)
• Combination statin and cholesterol absorption inhibitors: Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin)

What the Medication Does

Various medications can lower blood cholesterol levels, but drugs other than statins are usually only used for patients in whom statins are not effective or who have serious side effects from statin therapy. They work in the body in different ways. Some affect the liver, some work in the intestines and some interrupt the formation of cholesterol from circulating in the blood. 

Digitalis Preparations 

Commonly prescribed include:

• Digoxin (Lanoxin)

What the Medication Does

Increases the force of the heart's contractions. Can be beneficial in treating heart failure and irregular heartbeats.

Diuretics

(Also known as Water Pills)

Commonly prescribed include:

• Acetazolamide (Diamox)
• Amiloride (Midamor)
• Bumetanide (Bumex)
• Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
• Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Hydro-chlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril)
• Indapamide (Lozol) 
• Metalozone (Zaroxolyn)
• Spironolactone (Aldactone)
• Torsemide (Demadex)

What the Medication Does

Causes the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination. Helps to reduce the heart's workload. Also decreases the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the ankles and legs. Different diuretics remove fluid at varied rates and through different methods.

Vasodilators

Commonly prescribed include:

• Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
• Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur)
• Hydralazine (Apresoline)
• Nitroglycerin (Nitro Bid, Nitro Stat)
• Minoxidil

What the Medication Does

Relaxes blood vessels and decreases blood pressure. A category of vasodilators called nitrates increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload which can ease chest pain (angina). Nitroglycerin is available as a pill to be swallowed or absorbed under the tongue (sublingual), a spray, and as a topical application (cream).

 References:

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/treatment-of-a-heart-attack/cardiac-medications