From Textbook (Heart Drugs Vocabulary) - Unit 6: The Circulatory System

ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor drugs

Indication: Treat congestive heart failure and hypertension. ACE inhibitor drugs produce vasodilation and decrease the blood pressure by blocking an enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II (a vasoconstrictor). Examples: captopril (Capoten), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), trandolapril (Mavik)

antiarrhythmic drugs

Indication: Treat arrhythmias Examples: Intravenous atropine for heart block, intravenous lidocaine (Xylocaine) for ventricular fibrillation. Some beta-blocker drugs and calcium channel blocker drugs are used to treat ventricular tachycardia.

anticoagulant drugs

Indication: Prevent a blood clot from forming in patients with arteriosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, previous myocardial infarction, or an artificial heart valve Examples: heparin, warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix)

antihypertensive drugs

Indication: Treat hypertension Examples: See ACE inhibitor drugs, beta-blocker drugs, calcium channel blocker drugs, and diuretic drugs.

aspirin

Indication: Prevents heart attacks. Prevents blood clots from forming by keeping platelets from sticking together. Examples: aspirin (81 mg)

beta-blocker drugs

Indication: Treat angina pectoris and hypertension. Beta-blocker drugs decrease the heart rate and dilate the arteries by blocking beta receptors. Examples: atenolol (Tenormin), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor)

calcium channel blocker drugs

Indication: Treat angina pectoris and hypertension. These drugs block the movement of calcium ions into myocardial cells and smooth muscle cells of the artery walls, causing the heart rate and blood pressure to decrease. Examples: amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), verapamil (Calan)

digitalis drugs

Indication: Treat congestive heart failure. Digitalis drugs decrease the heart rate and strengthen the heart's contractions (see Figure 5-35 ■). Examples: digoxin (Lanoxin)

diuretic drugs

Indication: Block sodium from being absorbed from the tubule (of the nephron of the kidney) back into the blood. As the sodium is excreted in the urine, it brings water and potassium with it because of osmotic pressure. This process is known as diuresis. This decreases the volume of blood and is used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure. Laypersons call these drugs "water pills." Examples: furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

drugs for cardiac arrest

Indication: Treat a nonbeating heart (asystole) by stimulating it to contract Examples: intracardiac epinephrine (Adrenalin)

drugs for hyperlipidemia

Indication: Treat hypercholesterolemia. They are often referred to as "statin drugs" because of the common ending of the generic drug names. Examples: atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor)

nitrate drugs

Indication: Treat angina pectoris. Nitrate drugs dilate the veins (to decrease the amount of work that the heart must do) and dilate the arteries (to decrease the blood pressure) Examples: isosorbide (Isordil), nitroglycerin (Nitro-Dur)

thrombolytic drugs

Indication: Treat a blood clot that is blocking blood flow through an artery. Thrombolytic drugs lyse (break apart) a clot. Examples: alteplase (Activase)