Opioids

Common names:

• Morphine
• Dilaudid
• Fentanyl

Opioids are are used to ease pain and anxiety.

Possible problems are:

• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itching
• Lightheadedness
• Sedation

Nitrates

Nitroglycerin

Nitrates ease chest pain by widening the arteries. This lets more blood to flow to the heart muscle. There are many ways to take nitrates.

Possible problems are:

• Low blood pressure
• Headache

Thrombolytic Agents

Common names:

• Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
• Streptokinase
• Reteplase
• Tenecteplase
• Lanoteplase

These will break up blood clots in the arteries of the heart to improve blood flow.

Possible problems are:

• Stroke
• Hemorrhage

Heart Rhythm

These drugs help regulate heart rhythm so the blood can get to the heart muscle.

ACE Inhibitors

Common names:

• Enalapril
• Lisinopril
• Quinapril

ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure. They can also extend life in those with severe heart damage.

Possible problems are:

• Lasting dry, unproductive cough
• Low blood pressure
• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Swelling
• Skin rashes

ARBs

Common names:

• Candesartan
• Irbesartan
• Losartan
• Valsartan

Possible problems are:

• Headache
• Lightheadedness
• Nasal congestion
• Back and leg pain
• Diarrhea

Antiplatelet Drugs

Common names:

• Ticlopidine
• Clopidogrel
• Prasugrel

These drugs help keep the blood from clotting. They may be given when aspirin cannot be used. They may also be given with aspirin to people who have had an angioplasty.

Possible problems are:

• Bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Stomach upset

Anticoagulants

Common names:

• Heparin
• Warfarin
• Bivalirudin

Anticoagulants help to keep the blood from clotting. It is often given to people during heart procedures or after other clot-busting drug treatment.

Possible problems are:

• Internal bleeding
• Stroke

Statins

Common names:

• Atorvastatin
• Pravastatin
• Lovastatin
• Simvastatin
• Fluvastatin
• Rosuvastatin

Statins lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Atorvastatin may reduce the risk of repeat stroke or heart attack. These drugs may be used with other methods to treat high cholesterol such as changes in how you eat.

Possible problems are:

• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Liver damage—rare

Aspirin

Aspirin helps prevent clotting and reclosing of the artery. Aspirin may become part of long-term treatment.

Possible problems are:

• Stomach upset
• Gastrointestinal bleeding and stroke