Medication Class

Common Drugs in Category How does medication work?

Medication Class

Angiotensin

converting

enzyme

inhibitors

(ACEis)

Angiotensin

receptor

blockers (ARBs)

ACE-inhibitors: Lisinopril

(Zestril), Quinapril (Accupril),

Captopril (Capoten),

Enalapril (Vasotec), Ramipril

(Altace), Benazepril (Lotensin)

ARBs: Losartan (Cozaar),

Valsartan (Diovan), Irbesartan

(Avapro), Olmesartan,

Candesartan, Telmisartan

ACEi: Prevents body

from producing

chemical that narrows

blood vessels.

ARBs:

Directly causes blood

vessels to enlarge by

blocking the chemical

that leads to reduced

blood pressure

Angiotensin converting

enzyme inhibitors (ACEis)

Angiotensin receptor blockers

(ARBs)

FACT SHEET II: Heart Disease Medications

Beta Blocker Non-Selective: Propranolol

(Inderal), Carvedilol (Coreg),

Labetalol (Trandate), Sotalol

Selective: Metoprolol

succinate/tartrate (Toprol XL,

Lopressor), Atenolol,

Bisoprolol

Slows the heart rate

down and allows it to

beat with less force.

Beta Blocker

Calcium

Channel

Blocker

DHP CCB: Amlodipine

(Norvasc), Nifedipine

(Procardia)

Non-DHP CCB: Diltiazem,

Verapamil (calan, verelan)

Relaxes blood vessels or

slows the heart rate

down to allow it to beat

with less force.

Calcium Channel Blocker

Diuretics Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ),

Furosemide (lasix),

Spironolactone (Aldactone),

Eplerenone (Inspra)

Reduces fluid buildup in

the body and very

effective in treating high

blood pressure.

Diuretics aid in

preventing stroke, heart

attack and heart failure

Diuretics

Nitrates Nitroglycerin (NitroStat),

Isosorbide mononitrate

(ISMO), Isosorbide dinitrate

(Isordil)

Relaxes blood vessels

are used to treat chest

pain

Nitrates

Hydralazine Apresoline Decreases blood

pressure by directly

relaxing heart muscles

Hydralazine

Minoxidil Loniten Directly opens the heart

vessels to increase

blood pressure

Minoxidil

Statins Atorvastatin (Lipitor),

Rosuvastatin (Crestor),

simvastatin (Zocor),

pravastatin (Pravachol)

Used to decrease LDL,

“bad cholesterol”, levels

in the blood. Can aid in

increasing HDL, “good

cholesterol”, and

decrease triglycerides

(fat in blood vessel)

Statins

Aspirin Bayer, Ecotrin, Baby Aspirin Helps lower the risks of

heart attack and stroke

for those who already

Aspirin

had one and helps keep

arteries open in those

who have had heart

bypass surgery

Clopidogrel Plavix Stop blood particles

called platelets from

clumping together to

form harmful clots

Clopidogrel

The table above provides information about common heart-related medications, how they work, their side effects and

any issue you should let you doctor know about. Knowing these things about your medications can improve your heart

health.

If you have any further questions, please contact REACH MTM at 1-855-815-1897 to discuss these medications with a

pharmacist.