YOUR MEDICATIONS AND YOU
To maximize the effect of your medication, it is really important to follow your doctors and
pharmacist instructions very carefully.
Certain medications are prescribed to prevent the risks of angina and/or heart attack. You have to
take all medications as prescribed regularly. It may be necessary for you to take a combination of
medications. There are some medications of “prolonged action”. These medications’ names are
often followed by LA, SR, CD or XL. They must not be broken, cut or chewed.
ASPIRIN
NON COATED
COATED
Aspirin 325/80 mg
Entrophen 325 mg
Novasen 325 mg/300 mg
MSD AAS 325 mg
Asaphen 80 mg
This drug thins the blood. It decreases the risk of blood clot formation. This medication has to be
taken with food as it can irritate the stomach. Special coating of the Aspirin may help protect
your stomach. If you are prescribed the coated aspirin, do not chew, cut or break the pill.
NITROGLYCERIN
This medication is highly effective in decreasing chest pain related to angina. It opens the
coronary arteries thus bringing more oxygen to the heart. It can also be taken before effort or
stress to prevent angina.
Differences between the pills and the spray of Nitro
Pills
Spray
Dose
0.3/0.6 mg
0.4 mg
To be taken
under the tongue
on or under the tongue
Can be kept
3 months from date of
opening
up to 3 years
Caution
Do not swallow or chew
Keep in its original bottle
Not to be inhaled, shaken
To be given with the spray
directed upward
ALWAYS HAVE NITRO WITH YOU.
TO BE KEPT FAR FROM HEATED AND HUMID PLACES
It is very important to lie or sit down before you take this medication.
SIDE EFFECTS:
1. Headaches,
2. Dizziness
3. Flushing, warmth
4. Rapid heart beat
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE CHEST PAIN
When you have chest pain, it is not possible to know if it is angina or a heart attack, it is
then important to follow these steps:
1. Stop the activity that you are doing, lie or sit down.
2. Take one (1) Nitro pill or spray. Close your mouth and do not swallow.
3. If the pain is still present after 5 minutes, take a second Nitro and then wait for 5 more minutes
4. If the pain is still there, take one more (third) Nitro.
5. If 5 minutes after the third Nitro, you still have the pain, call 911 for an ambulance to go to the
hospital immediately.
Types of medications
NAME
ACTION
NITRATES
Imdur
Isordil
Nitro-dur
Nitrong-SR
Transderm-Nitro
Minitran
Increase oxygen
delivery to heart
Opens coronary
arteries
Nitro-patch:
Usually 10-12 hrs
off.
Imdur: usually take
at wake up.
Isordil: 30 mins
before meal
SIDE EFFECT Increases heart rate
Headaches,
Dizziness, flushing
WHEN
TO TAKE
BETA-BLOCKERS
Betaloc (Metoprolol)
Corgard (Nadolol)
Tenormin (Atenolol)
Lopressor (Metoprolol)
Sectral (Acebutolol)
Sotacor (Sotalol)
Trandate (Labetalol)
Transicor (oxyprenolol)
Visken (Pindolol)
Coreg ( Carvedilol)
Inderal (Propanolol)
Decrease demand for oxygen
Decreases heart’s work
Decreases heart rate
With Meals
CALCIUM BLOCKERS
AdalatPA/XL (Nifedipine)
CardizemCD/SR (Dilitiazem)
IsoptinSR (Verapamil)
Chronovera Verapamil
Norvasc (Amlodipine)
Plendil (Felodipine)
Renedil (Felodipine)
Decreases heart work
Increases oxygen delivery to
Heart.
Decreases oxygen demand of
The heart
Adalat/Isoptin,
avoid grapefruit juice.
Take at regular intervals
Decreases heart rate
Decreases heart rate,
Cold hands & feet
Constipation, Headache,
Fatigue, Insomnia,
Fatigue, swelling of the feet.
Nightmares, Decreases libido,
Impotence
Names
Action
How to take
Side effects
Angiostenine converting enzymes Diuretics
Inhibitors
Accupril (Quinapril)
Altace (Ramipril)
Copten (Captopril)
Versyl (Perindopril)
Inhibase (cilazapril)
Lotensin (Benazepril)
Monopril (Fosinopril)
Prinivil / Zestril (Lisinopril)
Vasotec (Enalapril)
Promotes healing of the heart
after a heart attack
Controls blood pressure
Decreases the failing of the heart
Lasix (Furosemide)
Hydrodiuril
(Hydrochlorothiazide)
Lozide(Indapamide)
Perindopril and captopril have to
Be taken on an empty stomach.
To be taken in AM
The other medications can be taken
with/without foods
Increases the blood’s potassium
Avoid Potassium supplements
Unless prescribed by your MD.
Dry cough.
Takes off the surplus of water
Controls blood pressure
If you are prescribed > 1dose/day, last
dose should
not be taken later than 18h00 (6PM)
More frequent voiding
Dizziness
Lowers blood’s potassium
Sun Sensitivity, to use sunscreen
MEDICATIONS TO DECREASE CHOLESTEROL
TRADEMARK
GENERIC NAME
HOW TO TAKE
Bezalip SR
Bezafibrate
With breakfast & supper
Lipidil Micron
Fenofibrate
With supper
Lopid
Gemfibrosil
30 mins before breakfast & supper
Mevacor
Lovastatin
With supper
Lescol
Fluvastatin
At bedtime
Pravachol
Pravastatin
At bedtime
Zocor
Simvastatin
At bedtime
Lipitor
Atorvastatin
At bedtime
These medications help decrease cholesterol and/or triglyceride in the blood. Decreasing
cholesterol helps lower the risk of coronary artery disease (angina, heart attack).
These medications can cause headaches, dizziness, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, nausea
especially at the beginning of treatment. If these problems persist, inform your doctor. Very
rarely, they may cause fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscular pain. Notify your doctor
immediately if you have any of the muscular weakness/pains.
It is still very important for you to follow the special diet to lower your cholesterol. Your doctor
will also prescribe regular blood tests to follow your cholesterol and triglycerides.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Keep all your medications away from direct heat or humidity or direct exposition to the
sun. Do not store them near a stove, refrigerator, in the bathroom or glove compartment.
2. Keep them locked and away from children.
3. Go to the same pharmacy. This will help them to keep a complete and updated list of your
medications. He/she can contact your doctor, if needed. Always ask your pharmacist’s opinion
before buying over the counter medications. They may be dangerous for you, or can interact with
your other prescribed medications. You can ask your pharmacist about the program “medications
codes” for over the counter medications. The products identified by letters (A,B,D,E,H,X) should
be consumed with precaution. You have to check with your pharmacist about these products.
4. Always renew your medications a few days in advance so that you will not run out of
medications. Always check how many renewals are left. Let your doctor know in advance when
you have no renewals left.
5. You cannot stop, increase or decrease the dose of any of your medications without the
approval of your doctor. If you believe you are having side effects from one of your
medications, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Do not wait until your next appointment with
your
doctor
before
clarifying
the
situation.
6. Always keep with you an updated list of your medications
7. Notify your doctor/dentist of all your medications before any surgery or dental manipulation.
8. Some cardiac medications can cause dizziness. You can decrease these problems by getting up
slowly from lying or sitting positions