Drug group names and examples

How they work / action

possible common
side effects

ACE Inhibitors (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors) captopril enalapril lisinopril ramipril fosinopril
perindopril

Reduce blood pressure Persistent cough, and increase cardiac dizziness, kidney problems. output (improve the
efficiency of the heart)

Antiplatelets: aspirin clopidogrel prasugrel

Blood clotting occurs due Can cause stomach to special irritation, headache cells, called platelets, and bruising. sticking together. Antiplatelets make this harder to do. Reduces the risk of developing
blood clots.

ArBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers) candesartan losartan irbesartan

valsartan

Reduce blood pressure Can cause dizziness, kidney problems. and increase cardiac output (improve the
efficiency of the heart).

Betablockers atenolol bisoprolol metoprolol

carvedilol

Reduce blood pressure, lower heart rate and ease workload of

the heart.

Can cause fatigue, dizziness, cold fingers / toes, sleep disturbance / nightmares, male
impotence Can cause flushing,

Calcium channel blockers amlodipine nifedipine diltiazem

verapamil

Relax blood vessels to reduce blood pressure and decrease workload of the heart; verapamil and diltiazem can also be used to
reduce the heart rate.

headaches, dizziness, stuffy nose, nausea, palpitations, slow pulse and ankle
swelling.

Nitrates GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) spray / tablets isosorbide mononitrate

nitrate patches

Relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure and reduce the workload
of the heart.

Can cause headache, flushing, dizziness

and nausea

Opiates
morphine

Relieve breathlessnes or Can cause pain. constipation and tiredness. Relax smaller blood vessels and reduce the workload of the heart. LowerLDL (badcholesterol) and reducetheriskof coronaryheart disease Can cause dizziness, headache and flushing. Can cause nausea, stomach upsets, headache, muscle pains and fatigue.

Potassium channel activators nicorandil Statins simvastatin atorvastatin pravastatin fluvastatin rosuvastatin