CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS

BLOOD PRESSURE DRUGS

CLASSIFICATION/ DRUG – DRUG

INDICATIONS ACTIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATIONS
DRUG INTERACTIONS
HTN, CHF, l.ventric, Blocks production of COUGH, GI, Renal Preg. Class D, renal Allipurinol for RA,
ACE Inhibitors dysfunction after angiotensin II. Vasodilation, insuff impairment Hx, Caution: Diuretics, +
Captopril MI, diabetic ↓BP, ↑serum potassium w/ Hyperkalemia, hard CHF-does not allow Lithium, NSAID
(capoten) nephropathy Na + fluid loss on kidneys- watch vasoconstriction; Alert if *Take 1 hr before
BUN tests. having surgery, meals.
*Not effective w/ African hypotension possible
Americans.
Angiotensin II HTN, Stroke Blocks the action of Headache, dizziness, Preg. Class D, Phenobarbitol,
Receptor Blockers prevention, angiotensin II. Vasodilation syncope, weakness, Anti-HTN
(ARB’s) HTN w/ renal pts & (arteriole), Na + water GI, rash, *Alert if having surgery,
Losartan type 2 diabetics excretion, ret. of potassium. hypotension possible
(Cozaar)
Essential HTN in the Blocking of calcium channels Bradycardia, Caution in lactating GRAPEFRUIT JUICE
Calcium Channel ER form. in blood vessels –vasodilation. Dysrhythmia, women, Heart block or Cyclosporine for
Blockers (CCB) ↓contraction+ HR, AV node. ortho hypotension sick sinus syndrome transplant pts.
Diltiazem (Main use is for CCB’s work on heart.
angina) Caution w/ Digoxin
+ Beta blockers
Severe HTN, Acts directly on vascular Related to changes Pregnancy, lactation Many
Vasodilators (hospital use only smooth muscle to relax, in BP, GI upset Cyanide toxicity,
Nitroprusside for crisis) vasodilation, ↓peripheral Caution: CHF,PVD, CAD
(Nitropress) * Hair growth resistance, ↓ BP, does not (blood clots can loosen
(Rogaine) inhibit cardio reflexes plaque) tachycardia.

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CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS

CARDIOTONIC AGENTS

CLASSIFICATION/
INDICATIONS ACTIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATIONS DRUG - DRUG
DRUG
↑Myocardial contraction, Bradycardia, Electrolyte imbalance (K), Erythromycin,
Cardiac Glycoside CHF, atrial fibrillation cardiac output, renal perfusion, Yellow halos, ventricular tachycardia or tetracycline,
Digoxin ↓HR, AV node conduction GI, arrhythmia, fib., heart block, MI, renal cyclosporine,
(Lanoxin) velocity headache, insuff. quinine,
drowsiness, CHECK APICAL >60. cholestyramine,
weakness Peds – apical & dose *St. John’s wart,
checked by 2nd nurse. psyllium, ginseng,
hawthorn, licorice

ANTIARRHYTHMIC AGENTS

CLASSIFICATION/
INDICATIONS ACTIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATIONS DRUG - DRUG
DRUG
Treatment of Competively blocks beta- Bradycardia, CHF, Verapamil, Insulin
Class II arrhythmias, esp. adtrenergic receptors in the cardiac arrhythmias, (hypoglycemia)
Antiarrhythmics SVT; induced by heart & kidney; has a heart blocks, CVA,
Propranolol digitalis or pulmonary edema,
membrane-stabiizing effect,
(Inderal) catecholamines. NVD, ↓exercise
↓sympathetic influence.
HTN, angina, tolerance
migraine, situational
anxiety
Used to convert SVT Stops heary - fast push, No adverse effects
Other to sinus rhythm 6 second jump, stops heart
Adenosine when vagal only if in SVT. Only works w/ T ½ - 6 second
(Adenocard) maneuvers have SVT
been ineffective.
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CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS

ANTIANGINAL AGENTS
Calcium Channel Prinzmetal's angina Hypotension, cardiac Vary with drug
Blocker arrhythmias
Diltiazem
(Cardizem)

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CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS

LIPID LOWERING AGENTS

CLASSIFICATION/
INDICATIONS ACTIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATIONS DRUG - DRUG
DRUG
↓ elevated serum Bind bile acids in the intestine, Headache, fatigue, Complete billary Malabsorption of
Bile Acid cholesterol in patients allow excretion in feces instead GI, ↑bleeding times, obstruction , pregnancy + fat-soluble vitamins
Sequestrants with primary of reabsorption, and cause Vit. A + E deficiencies lactation
hypercholesterolemia cholesterol to be iodized in the
Cholestyramine and pruritus assoc w/ liver and serum cholesterol
(Questran) partial biliary obstruct levels to fall
Reduce elevated serum Reduce elevated serum Flatulence, n/v /con, Active liver disease and Erythromycin,
HMG-Coa cholesterol in patients cholesterol in patients with abdominal pain, history of alcoholic liver cyclosporine,
Reductase with primary primary hypercholesterolemia headache, dizziness, disease gemfibrozil, and
Inhibitors hypercholesterolemia and pruritus associated with blurred vision, Pregnancy and lactation niacin
and pruritus associated partial biliary obstruction cataracts, insomnia, Caution: Impaired Digoxin and warfarin
Atorvastatin with partial biliary fatigue, liver failure endocrine function estrogen
(Lipitor) obstruction Rhabdomyolysis Grapefruit juice
Lower serum cholesterol Work in the brush border of Abdominal pain and Pregnancy and lactation if
Cholesterol levels; treat familial the small intestine to inhibit diarrhea combined with a statin
Absorption hypercholesterolemia; the absorption of cholesterol Headache,dizzines, Cautions:Pregnancy and
Inhibitor treat homozygous fatigue, URI, and lactation (monotherapy)
sitosterolemia to lower back pain In elderly patients, Liver
Ezetimibe sitosterol and Muscle aches and disease
(Zetia) campesterol levels pain

Can cause facial

Niacin flushing. Take aspirin
½ hr before.

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CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS

ANTICOAGULANTS
shock
↓ risk of recurrent Inhibits platelet Bleeding, GI upset,
Antiplatelet TIAs or strokes in aggregati on by Hepatic dysfunction Anticoagulants,
Aspirin males with a history inhibiti ng platelet Alopecia, dermatitis,
of TIA,↓ death or MI synthesis of bone marrow
in MI prophylaxis; thromboxane A 2 suppression, and
also used for its anti - prolonged and painful
infl ammatory,analgesi erection
c, and anti pyreti c
eff ects

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CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS

DRUGS FOR ANEMIA

CLASSIFICATION DRUG – DRUG

INDICATIONS ACTIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATIONS
/DRUG INTERACTIONS
Act like the natural Act like the natural headache, fatigue, Uncontrolled
Synthetic glycoprotein glycoprotein erythropoietin asthenia, dizziness, hypertension
Erythropoietins erythropoietin to to stimulate the production and seizure, N/V/D, Allergy to mammalian
Epoetin alfa stimulate the of RBCs in the bone marrow hypertension, cell-derived products
(Epogen) production of RBCs edema, and possible Allergy to human albumin
in the bone chest pain Lactation
marrow

Treatment of iron- Elevate the serum iron GI irritation and CNS Hemochromatosis Antacids, tetracycline,
Iron Prepartions deficiency anemias concentration toxicity, Parental ron Hemolytic anemia and cimetidine
Ferrous Sulfate and may also be is associated with Normal iron balance Ciprofloxacin,
(Feosol) used as adjunctive severe anaphylactic Peptic ulcer, colitis, and norfloxacin, and
therapy in patients reactions, local regional enteritis ofloxacin
receiving epoetin irritation, staining of Chloramphenicol
alfa the tissues, and
phlebitis