Top 300 Drug Cards

Lisinopril Brand Name

Prinivil or Zestril

Lisinopril: Drug Class

ACEI ; Antihypertensive

Lisinopril: Regulatory Status

Rx only

Lisinopril: Counseling Points

Avoid pregnacy, take without food, may cause dizziness that can worsen if dehydrated. Use of potassium supplements or salt substitutes only under medical supervision.

Lisinopril: Indications

HTN, Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, STEMI (ST elevation myocardial infarction)

Lisinopril: Common Side effects

Dizziness, hypotension

Lisinopril: MOA

Inhibits ACE (Angiotensin-converting enzyme) to stop conversion of ACEI → ACEII

Lisinopril: Frequency

Once a day

Lisinopril: Dosage Forms/Routes

Oral Tablet, Oral Solution

Losartan: Brand Name

Cozaar

Losartan: Drug Class

Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (Antagonist) (ARB)

Losartan: Regulatory Status

Rx only

Losartan: Counseling Points

Avoid during Pregnancy

Avoid sudden discontinuation (rebound BTN can occur)

With or without food

May Cause dizziness, worsens when dehydrated

Seek medical attention if Angioedema occurs

Hyperkalemia

Reduction in urination

Jaundice

Losartan: Indications

HTN, Reduced Risk of Cerebrovascular accident, prophylaxis, diabetic nephropathy

Losartan: Side Effects

Headache, dizziness, fatigue, mild upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Losartan: MOA

Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB) blocks AT1 (Type 1) receptors leading to vasodilation, reduction of fluid retention

Losartan: Frequency

Once a day

Losartan: Dosage Form/Routes

Oral Tablet

Valsartan: Brand Name

Diovan

Valsartan: Drug Class

Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist (ARB)

Valsartan: Regulatory Status

Rx Only

Valsartan: Counseling Points

Don’t abruptly discontinue

use of potassium supplements/salt subs only under medical supervision

Dizziness

Avoid alcohol and NSAIDS while taking drug

Avoid driving, using machinery, or dangerous activities if not alert

Valsartan: Indications

Heart failure, HTN, Acute Coronary Syndrome

Valsartan: Side Effects

Dizziness, High Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), Headache, nausea, fatigue

Valsartan: Adverse Effects

Hypotension, Hyperkalemia, Angioedema, Rhabdomyolysis, tachycardia, rash

Valsartan: MOA

Selective, reversible, competitive antagonist Angiotensin II receptor (Blocks AT1), leading to vasodilation to lower BP, and reduces sodium and water retention

Valsartan: Frequency

Once to Twice a day

Valsartan: Dosage Forms/Routes

Oral Tablet and Oral Solution

Metoprolol: Brand Name

Lopressor

Metoprolol: Drug Class

Beta-Adrenergic Blocker, Cardioselective

Metoprolol: Regulatory Status

Rx OnlyC

Metoprolol: Counseling Points

Immediate release tablets should be taken on empty stomach, ER taken with or without food

Avoid abrupt discontinuation, exacerbations of angina may occur

Instruct patients to report signs/symptoms of hypotension, heart failure, or exacerbation of angina with initial dose and dose changes

Diabetic patients have to carefully follow blood sugar levels, beta-blockers can mask hypoglycemia symptoms

Sprinkle capsule can be given for those that can’t swallow, may mix with soft food

Metoprolol: Indications

Angina (chest pain/discomfort), heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, HTN, AMI (acute myocardial infarction)

Metoprolol: Side Effects

Fatigue, dizziness, hypotension, cold extremities, sleep changes, headache

Metoprolol: Serious Side Effects

Very Slow heartbeat, worsening heart failure, mood change, allergic reaction

Metoprolol: MOA

Cardioselective beta-adrenergic blocker: competes with stress hormones for binding sites (blocks adrenaline and NE) on heart’s beta-1 receptors

Leads to lower heart rate, BP, reduced pumping strength and oxygen demand for the heart

Metoprolol: Frequency

From once to four times a day (QID for AMI for immediate release)

Metoprolol: Dosing Forms/Routes

Oral Tablet, Tablet Extended Release

Oral Capsule, Capsule ER

Sprinkle

Carvedilol: Drug Class

alpha/Beta Adrenergic Blocker

Carvedilol: Regulatory Status

Rx only

Carvedilol: Counseling Points

Take with food or milk (lowers risk of sudden drops in BP)

Avoid alcohol within 2 hours of taking ER capsules

Don’t stop abruptly (can cause rebound HTN)

Avoid driving, use of machines, or dangerous activity

Carvedilol: Indications

Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction

HTN

Carvedilol: Side Effects

Dizziness, fatigue, low BP, bradycardia, diarrhea, weight gain or mild swelling

Carvedilol: MOA

Selective alpha1 and nonselective Beta-adrenergic blocker —> slows HR, blocks receptors in blood vessels and airways, vasodilation to lower BP

Decreases AV nodal conduction in supraventricular tachycardias and blockade of catecholamine-induced dysrhythmia

Carvedilol: Frequency

Twice a day

Carvedilol: Dosage Forms/Routes

Oral tablet, Oral Capsule ER

Amlodipine: Brand Name

Norvasc

Amlodipine: Drug Class

Calcium Channel Blocker

Amlodipine: Regulatory Status

Rx only

Amlodipine: Indications

HTN, Chronic Stable Angina, Vasospastic angina

Amlodipine: Counseling Points

Avoid alcohol

Report signs/symptoms of hypotension or exacerbation of angina with changes in dose

Report signs/symptoms of peripheral edema, fatigue, hypotension, or hepatic dysfunction

Dizziness

Amlodipine: Frequency

Once daily

Amlodipine: MOA

Blocks voltage dependent L-type calcium channels (prevents calcium ions to enter vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle cells

Amlodipine: Dosage forms/Routes

Oral table, Oral solution, Oral Suspension

Nifedipine: Brand Name

Procardia XL

Nifedipine: Drug Class

Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker

Nifedipine: Regulatory Status

Rx only

Nifedipine: Indications

HTN, stable chronic angina, variant angina

Nifedipine: Counseling Points

Report signs/symptoms of hypotension, exacerbation, angina, peripheral edema, fatigue

Avoid sudden discontinuation (causes rebound HTN)

Dizziness

Avoid grapefruit juice

Nifedipine: MOA

Blocks L-type calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle cells

Nifedipine: Frequency

Once Daily

Nifedipine: Dosage Forms/Routes

Oral Table (ER), Oral Capsule

Diltiazem: Brand Name

Cardizem

Diltiazem: Drug Class

Non-dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker

Diltiazem: Regulatory Status

Rx only

Diltiazem: Indications

HTN, Stable, chronic angina, vasospastic angina

Diltiazem: Dosage Forms/Routes

Oral tablet, Oral capsule ER (12hr and 24 hr for both forms)

Diltiazem: Frequency

Ranges from once, twice, to four times daily

Diltiazem: Counseling Points

Report symptomatic hypotension, bradyarrhythmia, peripheral edema, or syncope

Report development of rash or skin changes

Follow instructions specific to brand name

Do not drink alcohol while taking this drug

Administer at same time of day (morning or evening)

Diltiazem: MOA

Inhibits flux of calcium ions into cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells during depolarization

Verapamil: Brand Name

Calan, VerelanV

Verapamil: Drug Class

Calcium Channel Blocker

Verapamil: Regulatory Status

Rx only

Verapamil: Indications

Angina, Atrial arrhythmia or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia prophylaxis, HTN

Verapamil: Frequency

Once daily, three times daily

Verapamil: Dosage Forms/Routes

Oral tablet, tablet ER, Oral Capsule ER

Verapamil: Counseling Points

Do not crush or chew ER products

Report symptomatic hypotension, bradyarrhythmia, peripheral edema, or syncope

Avoid sudden discontinuation (rebound HTN)

Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice

Hydralazine: Brand Name

Apresoline

Hydralazine: Drug Class

Peripheral Vasodilator

Verapamil: MOA

Inhibits voltage gated L-type calcium channels in cardiac and vascular smooth muscles (vascular relaxation)

Hydralazine: Dosage Forms/Routes

Oral tablet

Hydralazine: Indications

HTN

Hydralazine: Regulatory Status

Rx Only

Hydralazine: Frequency

PO QID (four times a day)

Hydralazine: MOA

Dilates resistance arterioles to lower BP and decrease afterload

Hydralazine: Counseling Points

Patient should not drink alcohol while taking drug

Avoid sudden discontinuation of drug (rebound HTN)

Dizziness

Report chest pain, palpitations, signs/symptoms of tachyrhythmia, hypotension, agranulocytosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or hepatotoxicity t