What is quinapril? What is quinapril used for? Quinapril belongs in a class of drugs called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ACE inhibitors are used for treating high blood pressure and heart failure and for preventing kidney failure due to high blood pressure and diabetes. Other drugs in this class are enalapril (Vasotec), ramipril (Altace), …
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What is nitroglycerin? Nitroglycerin belongs to a class of drugs called nitrates. Nitroglycerin is used in the management of angina pectoris (heart pain). What brand names are available for nitroglycerin? Nitrostat, Nitromist, Nitroquick, Nitrolingual, Nitro-Dur, Minitran, Nitro-Bid, Nitronol, and others Is nitroglycerin available as a generic drug? Yes (for some dosage forms) Do I need a prescription for nitroglycerin? Yes …
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What is propranolol? What are the uses for propranolol? Propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that is used for treating high blood pressure, heart pain (angina), abnormal rhythms of the heart, and some neurologic conditions. Examples of other beta-adrenergic blockers include metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), and timolol (Blocadren). Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are produced and released by nerves in order …
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What is alteplase (TPA, Activase, Cathflo Activase)? Alteplase is an injectable drug, given directly into a vein, that is used to treat conditions caused by arterial blood clots including heart attacks, strokes, chest pain at rest (unstable angina), blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary thrombosis or embolus), and other less common conditions involving blood clots. What brand names are available …
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What is amiodarone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Amiodarone is an oral and injectable drug that is used to correct abnormal rhythms of the heart. (It is an antiarrhythmic medication.) Although amiodarone has many side effects, some of which are severe and potentially fatal, it has been successful in treating many arrhythmias when other antiarrhythmic drugs have …
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What is Eliquis (apixaban) and how does it work? Eliquis (apixaban) is an anticoagulant (blood thinner) used for reducing the risk of blood clots in the heart and strokes in patients with atrial fibrillation who have no problems with their heart valves (nonvalvular atrial fibrillation). Eliquis is also used to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism …
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What is diltiazem, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Diltiazem is a drug that is used for treating heart pain (angina), high blood pressure, and abnormal heart rhythms. It belongs to a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers (CCBs), which includes amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) as well as others. CCBs block the entry …
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What is atenolol? How is atenolol used? Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that blocks the effects of adrenergic chemicals, for example, adrenaline or epinephrine, released by nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. One of the important function of beta-adrenergic nerves is to stimulate the heart muscle to beat more rapidly. By blocking the stimulation by these nerves, atenolol reduces …
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What is digoxin, and how does it work? Digoxin increases the strength and efficiency of heart contractions, and is useful in the treatment of heart failure and control the rate and rhythm of the heart. It is extracted from the leaves of a plant called digitalis lanata. Digoxin increases the force of contraction of the muscle of the heart by …
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Plavix (clopidogrel) vs. Coumadin (warfarin): What’s the difference? Clopidogrel and warfarin are blood thinners used to prevent blood clots. A brand name for clopidogrel is Plavix. Brand names for warfarin include Coumadin and Jantoven. Side effects of clopidogrel and warfarin that are similar include increased bleeding, rash, and diarrhea. Side effects of clopidogrel that are different from warfarin include itching, …
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