Classification of Medications - Cardiovascular System Medications (PTCB Hero)

types of cardiovascular system medications

- angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors or ACEIs)

- angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

- antiarrhythmic agents

- anticoagulants

- antiplatelet agents

- beta-blockers (BBs)

- calcium channel blockers (CCBs)

- cardiac glycosides

- cholesterol-lowering drugs

- diuretics

- vasodilators

ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors)

- indication: hypertension, congestive heart failure, post-myocardial infarction (heart attack)(due to their cardiac-remodeling characteristics)

- adverse drug reactions: drug and unproductive cough, angioedema (swelling of face, throat, and tongue), hypotension

commonly used ACE inhibitors

(-pril suffix)

- benazepril (Lotensin)

- captopril (Capoten)

- enalapril (Vasotec)

- lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)

- quinapril (Accupril)

- ramipril (Altace)

ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers)

indications: hypertension, congestive heart failure, post-myocardial infarction (heart attack) (due to their cardiac-remodeling characteristics)

adverse drug reactions: dry cough (significantly less so than ACE inhibitors), angioedema, fatigue

commonly used ARBs

(-sartan suffix)

- candesartan (Atacand)

- irbesartan (Avapro)

- losartan (Cozaar)

- olmesartan (Benicar)

- telmisartan (Micardis)

- valsartan (Diovan)

Antiarrhythmic agents

Indication: abnormal heart rhythm due to atrial and ventricular fibrillation

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs): QT prolongation, dizziness, drowsiness

commonly used antiarrhythmic agents

- Amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®)

- Flecainide (Tambacor®)

- Lidocaine (Xylocaine®)

- Quinidine (Quinalan®)

- Propafenone (Rythmol®)

-- other cardiovascular system medications can also be used as this, including beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers

anticoagulants

indications: commonly known as blood thinners, they prevent the formation of blood clots (such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) and reduce the risk of recurrent stroke

adverse drug reactions: bleeding, bruising, fatigue

commonly used anticoagulants

- Apixaban (Eliquis®)

- Dabigatran (Pradaxa®)

- Heparin

- Rivaroxaban (Xarelto®)

- Warfarin (Janotoven®, Coumadin® - discontinued in 2020)

-- the antidote to reverse the effects of warfarin is vitamin K (phytonadione)

antiplatelet agents

indication: prevents platelets from sticking together, which reduces the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction, stroke, or angina

adverse drug reactions: bleeding, bruising, stomach irritation

commonly used antiplatelet agents

- Aspirin

- Clopidogrel (Plavix®)

- Prasugrel (Effient®)

- Ticagrelor (Brilinta®)

beta-blockers (BBs)

indications: hypertension, angina (chest pain), myocardial infarction, arrythmias

adverse drug reactions: fatigue, bradycardia (slow heart rate), bronchoconstriction, depression

commonly used BBs

(-o/lol suffix)

- atenolol (Tenormin)

- bisoprolol (Zebeta)

- metoprolol succinate ER (Toprol XL, Kapspargo)

- metoprolol tartate (Lopressor)

- carvedilol (Coreg)

- propanolol (Inderal)

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)

indications: hypertension, angina, arrhythmias

adverse drug reactions: peripheral edema, palpitations, drowsiness, headache

commonly used CCBs

(-dipine suffix for most)

- amlodipine (Norvasc)

- felodipine (Plendil)

- nifedipine (Procardia)

- diltiazem (Dilacor XR, Cardizem)

- verapamil (Calan, Verelan)

Cardiac glycosides

indications: congestive heart failure, arrhythmias

adverse drug reactions: diarrhea, headache, dizziness, vision changes

commonly used cardiac glycosides

Digoxin (Lanoxin®)

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Indications: hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, reduce risk of recurrent myocardial infarction or stroke, reduce recurrent angina

Adverse drug reactions: can vary with each subtype but generally include muscle pain or numbness, upset stomach, headache, dizziness

commonly used cholesterol-lowering drugs subtypes

- bile acid sequestants

- fibric acids

- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

- Omega-3 fatty acids

- proprotein convertase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors

- other miscellaneous types of cholesterol-lowering agents

bile acid sequestrants

- Cholestyramine (Questran)

- Colestipol (Colestid)

- Colesevelam (Welchol)

fibric acids

- Fenofibrate (Tricor)

- Gemfibrozil (Lopid)

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

(-statin suffix)

- Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

- Lovastatin (Mevacor)

- Pravastatin (Pravachol)

- Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

- Simvastatin (Zocor)

Omega-3 fatty acids

- icosapent ethyl (Vascepa)

- Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza)

Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) Inhibitors

- alirocumab (Praluent)

- evolocumab (Repatha)

Other miscellaneous types of cholesterol-lowering agents

- bempedoic acid (Nexletol)

- ezetimibe (Zetia)

- niacin (Niaspan)

Diuretics

indication: enhance diuresis (increased urine production) to alleviate edema-related hypertension

adverse drug reactions: orthostatic hypotension, hypokalemia (depending on the type of diuretic)

commonly used diuretics

- Bumetanide (Bumex®)

- Furosemide (Lasix®)

- Hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril®)

- Spironolactone (Aldactone®)

- Triamterene-hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide®)

Vasodilators

indications: angina, hypertension, congestive heart failure

adverse drug reactions: orthostatic hyptotension, bradycardia, flushing

commonly used vasodilators

- Isosorbide dinitrate (Dinitrate SR®)

- Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur®)

- Hydralazine (Apresoline®)

- Nitroprusside (Nitropress®)

- Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat®)