Angina medication

Question 1

What medication to offer for Preventing and treating episodes of angina

Answer 1

• Offer a short-acting nitrate for preventing and treating episodes of angina

to repeat the dose after 5 minutes if the pain has not gone

to call an emergency ambulance if the pain has not gone 5 minutes after taking a second dose.

Question 2

What drugs can be used for econdary prevention of cardiovascular disease for people with stable angina ?

Answer 2

Consider aspirin 75 mg daily for people with stable angina, taking into account the risk of bleeding and comorbidities.

1.3.6 Consider angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors for people with stable angina and diabetes. Offer or continue ACE inhibitors for other conditions, in line with relevant NICE guidance.

Question 3

Drugs for treating stable angina ?

Answer 3

Offer either a beta blocker or a calcium channel blocker as first-line treatment for stable angina. Decide which drug to use based on comorbidities, contraindications and the person’s preference.

If the person cannot tolerate beta blockers and calcium channel blockers or both are contraindicated, consider monotherapy with one of the following drugs:

a long-acting nitrate or

ivabradine or

nicorandil or

ranolazine.