Cardiology Drug List Flashcards
Apixaban
Anticoagulant
Heparin
Anticoagulant
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Anticoagulant
What do anticoagulants do?
Decreases the clotting ability of the blood. Sometimes called blood thinners, although they do
not actually thin the blood. They do NOT dissolve existing blood clots.
Why should you prescribe anticoagulants?
- Helps to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels.
- May prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.
- Often prescribed to prevent first or recurrent stroke.
Aspirin
Antiplatelet agent
Clopidogrel
Antiplatelet agent
What do antiplatelets do?
Keeps blood clots from forming by preventing aggregation of blood platelets.
Why should you prescribe antiplatelets?
-Helps prevent clotting in patients who have had a heart attack, unstable angina,
ischemic strokes, TIA and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
-Usually prescribed preventively when plaque buildup is evident but there is not yet a
large obstruction in the artery.
Lisinopril and other “-pril”
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
What do ACE inhibitors do?
Expands blood vessels and decreases resistance by lowering levels of angiotensin II. Allows
blood to flow more easily and reduces load on the heart, increasing efficiency.
Why should you prescribe an ACE inhibitor?
Used to treat or improve symptoms of cardiovascular conditions including high blood
pressure and heart failure.
Losartan
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (or inhibitors) aka ARBs aka Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists
Valsartan
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (or inhibitors) aka ARBs aka Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists
What do Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers do?
Rather than lowering levels of angiotensin II (as ACE inhibitors do) angiotensin II receptor
blockers prevent this chemical from having any effects on the heart and blood vessels. This
keeps blood pressure from rising.
Why should you prescribe an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker?
Used to treat or improve symptoms of cardiovascular conditions including high blood
pressure and heart failure.
What are Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs)?
ARNIs are a new drug combination of a neprilysin inhibitor and an ARB.
What do Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs) do?
Neprilysin is an enzyme that breaks down natural substances in the body that open narrowed
arteries. By limiting the effect of neprilysin, it increases the effects of these substances and
improves artery opening and blood flow, reduces sodium (salt) retention, and decreases strain
on the heart.
*Tx for heart failure