Cardiac Medications

This list is for information only and includes only the most common medications used in treating cardiovascular disease. You should always speak with your healthcare provider and/ or pharmacist for more detailed information on your medications. Medications have a generic name and a brand name. You should do your best to know your medications and their doses. These medicines may be used alone or in combination to tailor a therapy for you based on your specific condition.

A class of medications used to inhibit or slow the coagulation cascade of blood in the human body. Purpose is to prevent or reduce thombotic (clot) events such as heart attack and stroke in patients with greater risk associated with many disease processes.

• • Warfarin (Coumadin and Marevan)
  • Dabigatran (Pradaxa)
  • Apixaban (Eliquis)
  • Rivaroxaban (Xarelto
  • Heparin
  • Enoxaparin (Lovenox)

• • Aspirin
  • Clopidogrel (Plavix)
  • Prasugrel (Effient)
  • Ticagrelor (Brilenta)
  • Ticlodipine (Ticlid)

• • Enalapril, Ramipril, Lisinopril, Catopril, Perendopril, Fosinopril, Imidapril, Quinapril, Benazepril

• • candesartan (Atacand),
  • eprosartan (Teveten),
  • irbesartan (Avapro),
  • telmisartan (Micardis),
  • valsartan (Diovan),
  • losartan (Cozaar), and
  • olmesartan (Benicar).

• • acebutolol (Sectral)
  • atenolol (Tenormin)
  • betaxolol (Kerlone, discontinued)
  • betaxolol (Betoptic, Betoptic S)
  • bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta)
  • carteolol (Cartrol, discontinued)
  • carvedilol (Coreg)
  • esmolol (Brevibloc)
  • labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne)
  • metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
  • nadolol (Corgard)
  • nebivolol (Bystolic)
  • penbutolol (Levatol)
  • pindolol (Visken, discontinued)
  • propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran)
  • sotalol (Betapace)
  • timolol (Blocadren, discontinued)
  • timolol ophthalmic solution (Timoptic)

• • amlodipine (Norvasc)
  • amlodipine and atorvastatin (Caduet)(combo of CCB and statin)
  • amlodipine and benazepril (Lotrel) (combo of CCB and ACEI)
  • amlodipine and valsartan (Exforge) (combo of CCB and ARB)
  • clevidipine (Cleviprex)
  • diltiazem (Cardizem)
  • felodipine (Plendil)
  • isradipine (Dynacirc)
  • nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
  • nicardipine (Cardene)
  • nimodipine (Nimotop)
  • nisoldipine (Sular)
  • verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)

Diuretics, commonly referred to as “water pills” there are three types of this medication that stimulate your body to shed water. They are thiazide, loop and potassium-sparing diuretics. Each works by affecting a different part of your kidneys, and each may have different uses, side effects and precautions. Which diuretic is best for you depends on your health and the condition being treated.  Examples of thiazide diuretics include:

• • Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
  • Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
  • Indapamide
  • Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
  • Chlorthalidone

Examples of loop diuretics include:

• • Bumetanide
  • Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
  • Furosemide (Lasix)
  • Torsemide (Demadex)

Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics include:

• • Amiloride
  • Eplerenone (Inspra)
  • Spironolactone (Aldactone)
  • Triamterene (Dyrenium)

Different types of diuretics may also be combined into one pill.

There are many medications with various modes of action that are used to reduce vascular resistance and increase vascular capacitance in the body which in turn reduces blood pressure. This includes Nitrates (nitroglycerine)

• • Apresoline
  • hydralazine HCI
  • Loniten
  • Adempas
  • minoxidil
  • riociguat

Chemicals taken from digitalis plant (Foxglove) are used to make a prescription drug called digoxin and is used for treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) and relieving associated fluid retention (edema); irregular heartbeat, including atrial fibrillation and “flutter;” asthma; epilepsy; tuberculosis; constipation; headache; and spasm. It is also used to cause vomiting and for healing wounds and burns.