Heart & Blood Pressure
Heart and blood pressure medicines work through different mechanisms, from relaxing vessels to slowing heart rate. Never combine a nitrate like isosorbide with sildenafil: together they can cause a dangerous blood pressure crash.
Amiloride Tablets
Amiloride
5mg
Amiloride Tablets is a heart blood pressure medication containing Amiloride, available as 5mg tablets.
Amiodarone Tablets
Amiodarone
100/200mg
Amiodarone Tablets is a heart blood pressure medication containing Amiodarone, available as 100/200mg tablets.
Apresoline
Hydralazine
25mg
Apresoline is a heart blood pressure medication containing Hydralazine, available as 25mg tablets.
Azilsartan and Chlorthalidone Tablets
Azilsartan, Chlorthalidone
40/12.5mg
Azilsartan and Chlorthalidone Tablets is a heart blood pressure medication containing Azilsartan + Chlorthalidone, available as 40/12.5mg tablets.
Benicar HCT
Olmesartan, Hydrochlorothiazide
20/12.5/40/12.5mg
Benicar HCT is a heart blood pressure medication containing Olmesartan + Hydrochlorothiazide, available as 20/12.5/40/12.5mg tablets.
Candesartan Tablets
Candesartan
4/8/16mg
Candesartan Tablets is a heart blood pressure medication containing Candesartan, available as 4/8/16mg tablets.
Digoxin Tablets
Digoxin
0.25mg
Digoxin Tablets is a heart blood pressure medication containing Digoxin, available as 0.25mg tablets.
Edarbyclor
Azilsartan, Chlorthalidone
40/12.5mg
Edarbyclor is a heart blood pressure medication containing Azilsartan + Chlorthalidone, available as 40/12.5mg tablets.
Inderal La
Propranolol
40mg
Inderal La is a heart blood pressure medication containing Propranolol, available as 40mg tablets.
Isoptin Sr
Verapamil
120/240mg
Isoptin Sr is a heart blood pressure medication containing Verapamil, available as 120/240mg tablets.
Micardis HCT
Telmisartan, Hydrochlorothiazide
40/12.5/80/12.5mg
Micardis HCT is a heart blood pressure medication containing Telmisartan + Hydrochlorothiazide, available as 40/12.5/80/12.5mg tablets.
Procoralan
Ivabradine
5mg
Procoralan is a heart blood pressure medication containing Ivabradine, available as 5mg tablets.
Rivaroxaban Tablets
Rivaroxaban
10mg
Rivaroxaban Tablets is a heart blood pressure medication containing Rivaroxaban, available as 10mg tablets.
Warfarin Tablets
Warfarin
1/2/5mg
Warfarin Tablets is a heart blood pressure medication containing Warfarin, available as 1/2/5mg tablets.
Zestoretic
Lisinopril, Hydrochlorothiazide
5/12.5g/mg
Zestoretic is a heart blood pressure medication containing Lisinopril + Hydrochlorothiazide, available as 5/12.5g/mg tablets.
Key takeaways
- This category covers several jobs: lowering blood pressure, easing angina, controlling heart rhythm, and managing fluid buildup in heart failure.
- Main families: calcium channel blockers (amlodipine), ARBs (losartan), ACE inhibitors (ramipril), beta blockers (atenolol, metoprolol), and diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide).
- The difference between classes is mechanism, not strength: some relax vessels, block pressure hormones, slow the heart, or remove fluid.
- The number one rule: never combine a nitrate (isosorbide) with a PDE5 inhibitor (sildenafil) or similar erectile dysfunction drug. Together they can cause a severe, sometimes life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
How these medicines work
Calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, and ARBs relax blood vessels so the heart pumps against less resistance; beta blockers slow the heart, diuretics remove excess fluid, and antiarrhythmics steady its electrical signals.
Choosing between the main heart and blood pressure medicines
- Amlodipine (with nifedipine and nimodipine): a calcium channel blocker that relaxes vessel walls, taken once daily; can cause ankle swelling.
- Losartan (with olmesartan, telmisartan, candesartan, valsartan, irbesartan, and azilsartan): an ARB blocking angiotensin II from tightening vessels, protecting kidney function in diabetes; avoided in pregnancy.
- Ramipril (with enalapril, lisinopril, and perindopril): an ACE inhibitor that dilates vessels by blocking angiotensin II, known for a persistent dry cough; avoided in pregnancy.
- Atenolol, metoprolol, bisoprolol, nebivolol, propranolol, carvedilol, labetalol and sotalol: beta blockers that slow heart rate and reduce workload; stopping abruptly can trigger rebound high blood pressure, so taper doses instead of stopping suddenly.
- Digoxin and amiodarone: digoxin strengthens each heartbeat and slows the rate in atrial fibrillation; amiodarone treats serious rhythm disturbances. Both need regular monitoring: digoxin has a narrow margin between an effective and toxic dose, and amiodarone (which contains iodine and lingers in body tissue) needs thyroid, liver, and lung checks.
- Isosorbide: a nitrate that relieves angina by dilating vessels. Never combine it with sildenafil or another PDE5 inhibitor (also in this category, for pulmonary hypertension): together they can cause a severe, dangerous blood pressure drop.
- Diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide, furosemide, torsemide, spironolactone, eplerenone, amiloride, and acetazolamide): lower blood pressure and clear fluid; spironolactone, eplerenone, and amiloride spare potassium, while thiazide/loop diuretics can deplete it, so electrolyte checks matter.
The remaining group, diltiazem and verapamil (rhythm-control calcium channel blockers), flecainide and ivabradine (specific rhythm problems), sacubitril (with valsartan, for heart failure), ranolazine (chronic angina), prazosin, clonidine, hydralazine and midodrine (blood pressure regulation through other pathways), ambrisentan (pulmonary arterial hypertension), and trimetazidine (angina), each address a specific circulation need.
Common questions
Why can't I take sildenafil while on a nitrate?
Nitrates and PDE5 inhibitors relax blood vessels through related pathways; combined, they can drop your blood pressure to dangerous levels, causing dizziness or fainting. Tell every prescriber about both medicines.
Why does digoxin need blood tests?
Digoxin works within a narrow range: too little won't control your rhythm, too much can cause dangerous arrhythmias. Periodic blood and kidney checks keep the dose safe.
Safety essentials
- Never combine a nitrate (isosorbide) with sildenafil or any other PDE5 inhibitor: the combination can cause a severe blood pressure drop.
- Digoxin and amiodarone both need periodic monitoring (blood levels; thyroid/liver/lung function) because of their narrow safety margins.
- Do not stop a beta blocker or clonidine suddenly; both require a gradual taper to avoid rebound effects.
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs are avoided in pregnancy and require kidney function monitoring after starting or changing dose.
- Seek urgent care for chest pain that doesn't ease with rest, fainting, or a dangerously fast or slow heart rate.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.