Heart Health Medications
This is a list of some of the drugs used to treat heart disease. We have listed some of their COMMON side effects.
You may be prescribed other drugs which are not on this list. You should discuss the drugs you have been prescribed with your doctor and pharmacist if you want more information about them.
Please visit http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/ which provides consumer medicine information on all prescribed drugs available in New Zealand
Ace Inhibitors - Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec), Lisinopril (Zestril or Prinivil)
Why take it? To reduce the pressure on your blood vessels by helping the arteries to relax and dilate.
What's the catch? It may cause a skin rash; loss of taste; a chronic dry, hacking cough; and in rare instances, kidney damage.
Aspirin - HeartCare, Solprin, Disprin, Aspec, Cartia
Why take it? To help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of further heart attacks or strokes.
Whats the catch? Side effects can include: indigestion, nausea and vomiting. This may be helped by taking tablets with a special (enteric) coating. If you are allergic to aspirin you may be prescribed clopidogrel which prevents clots too. Check with your doctor what strength aspirin you should take.
Amiodarone - Aratac, Cordarone
Why take it? To control heart rhythm disturbances.
What's the catch? Headaches, flushing, dizziness and stomach upsets. Metallic taste in mouth and small deposits in the eyes. Regular blood tests are carried out whilst on these drugs. Skin discolouration may develop in sunlight. Use a high factor sunscreen and wear a hat.
Beta blockers -
Atenolol (Lo-Ten), Metoprolol (Lopresor, Betaloc), Sotalol (Sotacor), Carvedilol (Dilatrend)
Why take it? To reduce the workload of the heart and limit how fast your heart rate is when you exercise. Helps control angina.
What's the catch? Side effects can include: fatigue, cold hands and feet, dizziness. If you have diabetes: beta-blockers may make the warning signs of low blood sugar harder to recognise. Beta-blockers make asthma worse so are not normally given to asthmatics. They can cause some men to become impotent. Beta-blockers can affect your ability to drive, discuss this with your doctor. Note: Beta-blockers should not be stopped suddenly without medical advice.
Calcium channel blockers - Nifedipine* (Adalat), Amlodipine (Calvasc, Narvasc), Felodipine* (Plendil ER or Felo ER), Diltiazem (Dilzem)
Why take it? Helps the arteries to relax and helps control angina. Most often used in patients unable to take beta-blockers.
What's the catch? Flushing, headaches, ankle swelling, constipation, feeling unwell. You must not stop taking them suddenly without medical advice.
* If you are taking either Nifedipine or Felodipine you should avoid grapefruit and it's juices as they heighten the effect of the medication.
Clopidogrel
(Plavix)
Why take it? To prevent clots forming on a stent.
What's the catch? Rash, diarrhoea. Bleeding may take longer to stop. Report any unusual bleeding to your doctor.
Digoxin
(Lanoxin)
Why take it? Controls atrial fibrillation and other rhythms and controls heart failure.
What's the catch? Weight loss, nausea, tiredness, headache, depression, arrhythmias, slow heart rate and visual disturbance. Regular blood tests will be carried out to check the level of this drug in your body.
Diuretics - Frusemide* (Diurin), Frusemide and Amiloride Hydrochloride (Frumil), Bendrofluazide (Neo-naclex), Spironolactone (Spirotone)
Why take it? To help your body get rid of excess fluid and to lower your blood pressure.
What's the catch? You may need to pass water more frequently. Your blood pressure may be low. You will need to have regular blood tests to check the level of some chemical in your blood are normal. If you are diabetic, your blood sugar level may increase. If you have gout, it may get worse.
*If you are taking Frusemide you should avoid alcohol and you may need to have a diet rich in potassium or take potassium supplements.
Flecainide -
(Tambocor)
Why take it? Controls serious heart rhythm disturbances.
What's the catch? Dizziness, visual disturbance, nausea, vomiting, headache, tiredness and a feeling of numbness in the mouth.
Nitrates -
Isosorbide mononitrate (Ismo20, Corangin, Duride), Glyceryl Trinitrate (Lycinate, Glytrin Spray, Nitrolingual pumpspray)
Why take it? To dilate the coronary arteries, so the blood flow increases. Reduces the heart rate and blood pressure and helps the heart rhythm.
What's the catch? Flushing, dizziness, headaches.
Statins - Simvastatin* (Lipex), Atorvastatin** (Lipitor)
Why take it? They can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by up to 20%.
Whats the catch? Before starting on a statin you will have a blood test to show how well your liver is working. This test will be repeated while you are taking the medication. Statins can cause liver and muscle damage in rare cases.
*If you are taking Simvastatin only have a limited amount of grapefruit juice.
**If you are taking Atorvastatin, avoid grapefruit juice completely.
Warfarin -
(Marevan, Coumadin)
Why take it? To prevent clots forming if you have a mechanical heart valve replacement or have atrial fibrillation
What's the catch? Bleeding, stomach upset. Avoid alcohol, drastic changes to your diet, large amounts of green leafy vegetables and dairy products fortified with Vitamin K. Report any unusual bleeding to your doctor.
If you experience any side effects with any of your prescribed medications
DO NOT stop taking them.
Call your doctor and explain what you are experiencing.
There are many drugs within each group described above so your doctor is likely to be able to change your medication to suit you.
