This page lists the side-effects of certain
prescription heart drugs. Here is a summary
listing of current human heart medications by class,
with generic names, brand names, and some
side effects. This page is offered as a
starting point for further research.





Sometimes they give you the Brand Name.
Sometimes they give you the generic name.
Sometimes they give you the Other Brand name.
Sometimes they Capitalize the generic name.
Sometimes they don't capitalize the brand name.
Drive you nuts? Me too. I hope the list below helps.

Vaughn's Summaries

Medical Summaries

30

448-768

30

260

  1. Hypertension - Blood Pressure Reduction

Legal Problems

ACE Inhibitors

ACE Inhibitor Birth Defects

Alpha Agonists

Alpha Blockers

Cardura Class Action Lawsuit

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

Diuretics

Renin Blockers

  2. Antiarrhythmics (some of which are also #1. above)

Class 1 

Sodium Channel Blockers - Rhythm?

-

Class 2 

Beta Blockers - Rate?

Coreg Class Action Lawsuit

Class 3 

Potassium Channel Blockers - Rhythm?

Amiodarone Class Action Lawsuits

Class 4 

Calcium Channel Blockers - Rate?

Cardizem Class Action Lawsuit

  3. Cholesterol Lowering

chloestyramine, statins

Statin Class Action Lawsuits

  4. Blood Thinners - Anticoagulants

aspirin, aprotinin, clopidogrel,
enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin
dabigatran etexilate

Plavix Class Action Lawsuits
Trasylol Class Action Lawsuits
Pradaxa

  5. Rate Control

digitalis preparations

  6. Vasodilators

nitroglycerin, etc.

  7. Non-heart Drugs that Cause Heart Attacks

Bextra (NSAID- cox-2 inhibitor)
Celebrex (NSAID- cox-2 inhibitor)
Vioxx (NSAID- cox-2 inhibitor)

Bextra Recall
Celebrex Recall
Vioxx Recall

100

280 - 768

50

50

288

-

.
1. Blood Pressure Reduction - Hypertension Treatment

ACE Inhibitors - Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition
(ACE Inhibitors are derived from the venom of the Brazilian Pit Viper.)

ACE Inhibitor Birth Defects

generic name
( -pril)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

benazepril

(generic available)

Lotensin

#135 Selling Drug 2003

Cough, headache, dizziness, drowsiness,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
lightheadedness,
fainting,
rash,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection

captopril

(generic available)

Capoten

-

Dizziness or lightheadedness, salty or metallic taste, or decreased ability to taste, cough, sore throat, fever, mouth sores, unusual bruising, fast heartbeat, excessive tiredness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Chest pain,
swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fainting,
rash

cartopril

 (spanish)

 -

-

weakness or dizziness

enalapril

(generic available)

Vasotec

Vaseretic

Merck

Merck

Cough, dizziness, rash, weakness,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection,
lightheadedness,
fainting

fosinopril

(generic available)

Monopril

#128 Selling Drug 2003

Dizziness, cough, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, xcessive tiredness, weakness,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever,
sore throat,
chills, and other signs of infection,
lightheadedness,
fainting

lisinopril

(generic available)

Prinivil
Zestril

- 

Generic was #149 Selling Drug 2004

Cough, dizziness, headache, excessive tiredness, upset stomach, diarrhea, weakness, sneezing, runny nose, decrease in sexual ability, rash,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
lightheadedness,
fainting,
chest pain

moexipril

Univasc

-

agranulocytosis, angioedema, fetal mortality, hepatic failure, hypotension, neutropenia,

quinapril

(generic available)

Accupril

 -

agranulocytosis, angioedema, fetal mortality, hepatic failure, hypotension, neutropenia,

ramipril

Altace


Delix
Tritace

#56 Selling Drug 2007
King Pharma.

Sanofi-Aventis

Headache, dizziness, cough, upset stomach, vomiting, excessive tiredness, weakness,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection,
lightheadedness,
fainting

trandolapril

(generic available)

Mavik

- 

- 

Cough, dizziness, muscle pain,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever, sore throat, chills, and other signs of infection,
lightheadedness,
fainting

Combos

Combination of 2 drugs

benazepril
amlodipine

Lotrel

-

Novartis
#42 Selling Drug 2007

-

top of page

Alpha Agonists

(norepinephren release - decrease adrenergic tone)

generic name
( -ine)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

clonidine

(generic available)

Catapres

 -

#165 Selling Drug 2007

I take the 0.2mg daily. I have reservations, but it does lower the heck out of my BP.
Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, tiredness, headache, nervousness, decreased sexual ability, upset stomach, vomiting, rash

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Fainting,
increased or decreased heartbeat,
irregular heartbeat,
swollen ankles or feet,

Rapid withdrawal can result in Rebound Hypertension, and
hypertensive crisis - an increase in blood pressure that can be FAR greater than the original high blood pressure. If you miss a pill or two, the rebound occurs immediately.

guanabenz

Wytensin

 -

 -

While taking -
Dizziness; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; weakness, decreased sexual ability; headache; nausea
When you stop -
Anxiety or tenseness; chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat; headache ; increased salivation; increase in sweating; nausea or vomiting; nervousness or restlessness; shaking or trembling of hands or fingers; stomach cramps ; trouble in sleeping

guanethidine

Ismelin

 -

 -

Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, headache, confusion, decreased sexual ability, upset stomach, loss of appetite, gas, constipation, vomiting, dry mouth, frequent urination, muscle pain, depression, difficulty sleeping

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Severe diarrhea
fainting,
fever,
increased or decreased heartbeat,
irregular heartbeat,
chest pain,
swollen ankles or feet,
shortness of breath

guanfacine

(generic available)

Tenex

 -

 -

Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, tiredness, headache, decreased sexual ability, upset stomach, vomiting

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Fainting,
increased or decreased heartbeat,
irregular heartbeat
swollen ankles or feet

methyldopa

Aldomet

- 

- 

Drowsiness, headache, muscle weakness, swollen ankles or feet, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, dry mouth, rash

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Unexplained fever,
extreme tiredness,
yellowing of the skin or eyes

monoxidine

Physiotens

 -

 -

 -

tizanidine HCl

Zanaflex

- 

 -

Dizziness, upset stomach, vomiting, tingling sensation in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, dry mouth, increased muscle spasms

If you experience either of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Yellowing of the skin or eyes,
unexplained flu-like symptoms

top of page

Alpha Blockers

Cardura Class Action Lawsuit

generic name
( -ate, ide, -ine, -sin)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

doxazosin mesylate

(generic available)

Cardura

- 

Pfizer 

Dizziness, lightheadedness, excessive tiredness, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, shortness of breath, dry mouth, drowsiness, muscle or joint pain or weakness, abnormal vision, runny nose, decreased sexual ability,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat,
fainting,
painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours

phenoxybenzamine

Dibenzyline

- 

-

Nasal congestion, dizziness, upset stomach, sexual dysfunction (difficulty ejaculating), dizziness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Fainting,
fast heartbeat,
vomiting

prazosin

(generic available)

Minipres

 -

-

Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, tiredness, headache, upset stomach,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Difficulty breathing,
fast heartbeat,
irregular heartbeat,
chest pain,
fainting

terazosin HCL

(generic available)

Hytrin

- 

- 

Dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, tiredness, drowsiness, stuffed nose, back pain, upset stomach, decreased sexual ability, blurred vision, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat,
fainting,
painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours

top of page

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

generic name
( -sartan)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

candesartan

Atacand
Blopress

 -

Astrazenica, Takeda
#54 Selling Drug 2006  

Dizziness, lightheadedness, congestion, cough, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches, back pain, fever, sore throat, runny nose,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fainting,
rash

irbesartan

Avapro

Bristol-Meyers Squibb 
#98 Selling Drug 2007

Runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, heartburn, excessive tiredness,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
hives,
fainting

losartan

Cozaar

 Merck
#59 Selling Drug 2007

Dizziness, runny nose, sore throat,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fainting

olmesartan

Benicar
Olmetec

-

Daiichi Sankyo
#73 Selling Drug 2006

Dizziness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Benicar:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness); change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; difficulty swallowing; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or cramps; symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, lightheadedness, severe dizziness).

telmisartan

Micardis

-

Boehringer
#58 Selling Drug 2006

-

valsartan

Diovan

Novartis
#9 Selling Drug 2006

Dizziness, headache, excessive tiredness, diarrhea, stomach pain, back pain, joint pain,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
hoarseness,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fainting

Combo

Combination of 2 drugs - ARB and diuretic

irbesartan + HCTZ

Avalide

-

Bristol-Meyers Squibb 
#107 Selling Drug 2007

-

losartan + HCTZ

Hyzaar

50-12.5
100-12.5
100-25

-

-

-

top of page

Diuretics

(Thiazides)

(Induce urination to reduce blood volume)

generic name
( -ide)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

amiloride

Midamor

5

-

Merck

-

bumetanide

(generic available)

Bumex

- 

Roche

Muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, faintness, thirst, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea,

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Rapid, excessive weight loss,
sore throat with fever,
ringing in ears,
loss of hearing,
unusual bleeding or bruising,
severe rash with peeling skin,
difficulty breathing or swallowing

chlorthalidone

(generic available)

Thalitone

-

Monarch Pharma.

-

chlorothiazide

Diuril

 -

Merck 

Muscle weakness, dizziness, cramps, thirst, stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, hair loss,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Sore throat with fever,
unusual bleeding or bruising,
severe skin rash with peeling skin,
difficulty breathing or swallowing

furosemide

(generic available)

Lasix

 -

Aventis Pharma 

Muscle cramps, weakness, dizziness, confusion, thirst, upset stomach, vomiting, blurred vision, headache, restlessness, constipation,

If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Fever,
sore throat,
ringing in the ears,
unusual bleeding or bruising,
loss of hearing,
severe rash with peeling skin,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
rapid, excessive weight loss

hydrochlorothiazide

(generic available)

HydroDIURIL
(HCTZ)

#18 Selling Drug 2004
Merck

Muscle weakness, dizziness, cramps, thirst, stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, hair loss,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Sore throat with fever,
unusual bleeding or bruising,
severe skin rash with peeling skin,
difficulty breathing or swallowing

indapamide

(generic available)

Lozol

-

Sanofi

-

metolazone

(generic available)

Zaroxolyn

 -

Rhône-Poulenc Rorer  

Muscle weakness, dizziness, cramps, thirst, stomach pain, upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, hair loss,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Sore throat with fever,
unusual bleeding or bruising,
severe skin rash with peeling skin,
difficulty breathing or swallowing

spironolactone

(generic available)

Aldactone

 -

#56 Selling Drug 2004
Searle

Upset stomach, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, frequent urination, dizziness, headache, enlarged or painful breasts, irregular menstrual periods, drowsiness,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Muscle weakness or cramps,
rapid, excessive weight loss,
fatigue,
slow or irregular heartbeat,
sore throat,
unusual bruising or bleeding,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
skin rash,
vomiting blood,
fever,
confusion

torsemide

(generic available)

Demadex

-

Roche Labs

-

triamterene

Dyrenium

- 

GlaxoSmithKline 

Vomiting, dizziness, headache,

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Muscle weakness or cramps,
slow or irregular heartbeat,
diarrhea,
rash,
difficulty breathing or swallowing
upset stomach,
extreme tiredness,
unusual bleeding or bruising,
lack of energy,
loss of appetite,
pain in the upper right part of the stomach,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
flu-like symptoms,
sore throat,
severe dry mouth,
unusual bruising or bleeding

Combos

Combination of 2 diuretic drugs

amiloride
HCTZ
(generic available)

Moduretic

-

Merck

-

spironolactone
hydrochlorothiazide

Aldactazide

-

Pfizer
potassium sparing

-

triamterine hydrochlorothiazide
Combo

(generic available)

Dyazide

-

#24 Selling Drug 2004
GlaxoSmithKline

-

top of page

Renin Blockers

DRI - Direct Renin Inhibitor

("reduces the effect of renin")

aliskiren

Tekturna

-

Novartis

Swelling, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, dizziness, flu-like symptoms, diarrhea, cough, tiredness.
The Novartis website describes Tekturna using a GRAPHIC, instead of the normal text. This is done so that the information cannot be indexed by search engines, because thay are attempting to hide something. Perhaps because it will kill your unborn baby. There is no other reason for them to present the information in this manner.

top of page

-

.
2. Antiarrhythmia Drugs

AntiArrhythmics

generic name

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

Class 1

Sodium Channel Blockers - Rhythm Control

 ( -ide, ine)

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

disopyramide- 1A

Norpace
Norpace CR

-

 Rhythm-?

anti-cholinergenic effects
may cause Torsades de Pointes

procainamide- 1A

Procanbid
Pronestyl

-

 Rhythm-?

may cause med-induced SLE
may cause Torsades de Pointes

quinidine -   1A

Quinaglute
Quinidex

-

 Rhythm-?
cinchona herb

may cause Torsades de Pointes

 -

 -

-

-

 angelica herb

-

lidocaine -  1B

Xylocaine

-

-

seizures

phenytoin - 1B

Dilantin
Phenytek

-

med interactions

tocainide -  1B

Tonocard

-

-

tremor, pulmonary fibrosis

 -

 -

-

-

-

-

encainide -   1C

Enkaid

-

-

may worsen arrhythmias

flecainide -   1C

Tambocor

-

  Rhythm-? no CAD, CHD

-

propafenone- 1C

Rytmonorm,
Rythmol

-

  Rhythm-? no CAD, CHD

may worsen arrhythmias

 top of page

Class 2 (most used)

Beta Blockers - Rate Control - Stops transmission

 ( -olol)

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

acebutolol

Sectral

-

Dr. Reddy's Labs

-

atenolol

(generic available)

Tenormin

- 

#11 Selling Drug 2004
AstraZeneca

Dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, drowsiness, depression, upset stomach, diarrhea,

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Shortness of breath,
swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
unusual weight gain,
fainting

bisopropol

(generic available)

Concor


Zebeta

-

#193 Selling Drug 2006
Merck  

too-low blood pressure

carteolol

Cartrol

-

Abbott Labs

worse asthma symptoms

carvedilol

(generic available)

Coreg

-

Glaxo Smith Kline
#70 Selling Drug 2006

The information on the right is presented as a GRAPHIC on the Coreg website, so that it CANNOT be indexed by search engines. This is a VERY DECEPTIVE practice. I don't like it. You shouldn't either.

"If patients stop taking Coreg suddenly, they could have chest pain and/or a HEART ATTACK."

"Some COMMON side effects associated with Coreg CR include shortness of breath, a slow heartbeat, weight gain, fatigue, hypotension, dizziness, faintness, or runny nose/sore throat."
(capitalization mine)

ALL KINDS of intervening circumstances can cause you to "stop taking Coreg suddenly." Do you want to die, because of this? I DON'T LIKE any kind of medicine that causes dependance. Do you want to be a lifetime pharmaceutical addict? That's what THEY want!

esmolol 

Brevibloc

-

Baxter

blocks heart w/ digitalis

betaxolol

Kerlone

-

Sanofi

-

labetalol

(generic available)

Trandate

-

Prometheus

-

metoprolol

(generic available)  

Lopressor

Toprol
Seloken

#42 Selling Drug 2004

#52 Selling Drug 2006

Dizziness or lightheadedness, tiredness, depression, upset stomach, dry mouth, stomach pain, gas or bloating, heartburn, constipation, rash or itching, cold hands and feet

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Shortness of breath,
wheezing,
welling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs,
unusual weight gain,
fainting,
rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

Toprol XL

Astrazeneca

nadolol

(generic available)

Corgard

-

King Pharma.

-

penbutolol

Levatol

-

Schwarz Pharma.

-

pindolol

Visken

-

Novartis

-

propranolol

Inderol
InnoPran XL

Wyeth

POISON - This stuff damn near killed me! They left out Crushing Chest Spasm, making breathing in or out EXTREMELY difficult. Can't walk, can't sit, can't lie down, can't sleep, can't breathe. AND, INSTANT PERMANENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION. NO SINUS RHYTHM (NO PACEMAKER). FOR SIX YEARS NOW.

Dizziness or lightheadedness, difficulty sleeping, excessive tiredness, upset stomach, vomiting, rash, diarrhea, constipation,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Difficulty breathing,
sore throat,
unusual bleeding,
swelling of the feet or hands,
unusual weight gain,
chest pain,
slow, irregular heartbeat,

sotalol

(generic available)

Betapace

-

Berlex Labs.

plus K channel blocker

timolol

Blocadren

-

Merck

may cause Torsades de Pointes,
which frequently causes death

Combos

Combination of 2 drugs

bisopropol
HCTZ

Ziac

-

#95 Selling Drug 2004
Duramed Pharma.

too-low blood pressure

timolol/ HCTZ

Timolide

-

Merck

-

triamterene/ HCTZ

Dyazide

-

antikaliuretic agent/ diuretic

-

 top of page

Class 3

Potassium Channel Blockers - Rhythm Control

 ( -ide, -ium, -lol, -one)

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

amiodarone

Cordarone (khella)

-

Wyeth

Rhythm-?
liver, thyroid, fibrosis

bretylium

Bretylol

-

-

eye problems

dofetilide

Tikosyn

-

one pharmacy

may cause Torsades de Pointes

ibutilide

Corvert

-

-

may cause Torsades de Pointes

sotalol

Betapace

-

works w/ purkinje

Rhythm-?

top of page

Class 4

Calcium Channel Blockers - Rate Control - Relaxes muscles

 ( -dil, -ipine, -mil, -zem)

 -

 -

 -

 -

 -

amlodipine

Amlodin

Norvasc

-

- 

#52 Selling Drug 2007

-

amlodipine
benazepril
Combo

Lotrel

-

#74 Selling Drug 2006

-

bepridil

Vascor

-

-

-

diltiazem

(generic available)

Cardizem

#25 Selling Drug 2004
Aventis

Dizziness or lightheadedness, flushing (feeling of warmth), headache, excessive tiredness, slower heartbeat, upset stomach, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, dry mouth, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs,
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fainting,
rash,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever,
increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)

Cartia XT

-

#45 Selling Drug 2004
Douglas

Dilacor

-

Benzo-thiaze-pine

Tiazac

 -

Benzo-thiaze-pine

felodipine

Plendil

 -

 -

-

isradipine

DynaCirc

 -

 -

-

nicardipine

Cardene

 -

 -

-

nifedipine 

Adalat

 -

 Bayer
#128 Selling Drug 2006

-

Procardia

 -

 -

-

nisoldipine

Sular

 -

 -

-

verapamil

(generic available)

Calan

 -

Searle

Constipation, dizziness or lightheadedness, headache, upset stomach, heartburn, excessive tiredness, flushing (feeling of warmth), slow heartbeat, vivid, unusual dreams,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, arms, or legs
difficulty breathing or swallowing,
fainting,
rash,
yellowing of the skin or eyes,
fever,
increase in frequency or severity of chest pain (angina)

Covera

 -

Phenyl-alky-amine

Isopten

 -

Phenyl-alky-amine

Verelan

 -

Phenyl-alky-amine

top of page

-

.
3. Cholesterol Lowering - Anti-lipemic

Statin Class Action Lawsuits

generic name
(-statin)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

STATINS

-

atorvastatin

Lipitor

-

#1 Selling Drug 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007

-

cerivastatin

Baycol

-

-

Recalled 2001

Baycol Class Action Lawsuits

cholestyramine

Questran

-

-

-

ezetimibe (Zetia) and simvastatin (Zocor)
Combo

Vytorin

-

#12 Selling Drug 2007

-

fluvastatin

Lescol

-

Novartis
#151 Selling Drug 2006

-

lovastatin

(generic available)

Mevacor

-

Merck

Constipation

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
Muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness,
lack of energy or fever,
yellowing of the skin or eyes

pravastatin

(generic available)

Mevalotin
Pravachol

-

-
#65 Selling Drug 2006
Bristol-Meyers

-

rosuvastatin

Crestor

-

#23 Selling Drug 2007

Crestor Riskier than Others

simvastatin

Zocor

-

#8 Selling Drug 2006
GONE in 2007

-

.
NON-STATINS

-

colestipol

Colestid

-

-

Chest pain, angina, and tachycardia have been reported.

ezetimibe

Zetia

-

#21 Selling Drug 2007

Severe allergic reaction
Difficulty breathing
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, tiredness

fenofibrate

Tricor
Lipanthyl

-

#30 Selling Drug 2007
-

-

niacin

Niaspan

-

#70 Selling Drug 2007
KOS Pharma.

-

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.
4. Blood Thinners - Anticoagulants

Blood Thinners

(to prevent stroke)

generic name
( -in)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

aspirin

Bayer

-

Increased bleeding risk
Easy bruising
sodium retention

aprotinin

Trasylol

-

-

hospital use

Trasylol Class Action Lawsuits

clopidogrel

Plavix

-

#5 Selling Drug 2007

Plavix Class Action
Stomach bleeding

dabigatran etexilate

Pradaxa

-

new 2011
Boehringer
for a-fib patients

Pradaxa

enoxaparin sodium

Lovenox

-

-

#53 Selling Drug 2007

-

heparin

Calciparine

-

-

hospital use

-

rivaroxaban

Xarelto

-

-

clotting protein blocker
new 2011 - Bayer
for a-fib patients

-

warfarin

(generic available)

Coumadin

Bristol-Myers Squibb

If you receive too little warfarin, you can get a blood clot, and suffer a stroke. If you receive too much warfarin, you can bleed internally, such as stomach bleeding at best, or brain hemorrhage at worst.

Headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, fever, skin rash,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Unusual bleeding or bruising,
black or bloody stools,
blood in the urine,
tiredness,
unexplained fever,
chills,
sore throat,
stomach pain

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.
5. Rate Control Drugs

Digitalis Preparations

(Pulse Rate Control)

generic name
( -oxin)

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

digoxin
(foxglove herb)

(generic available)

Lanoxin

-

Loss of appetite
bad taste in the mouth
nausea or vomiting
impaired kidney function
headaches
skipped heartbeats
rapid breathing

Digitran

-

-

digitoxin

Crystodigin
Tardigal
Unidigin

-

-

-

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.
6. Vasodilators

Vasodilators

(Expand blood vessels)

generic name

Brand Name

Action/ Note

Side Effects

hydralazine

(generic available)

Apresoline

Novartis

Flushing (feeling of warmth), headache, upset stomach, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, eye tearing, stuffy nose, rash,

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Fainting, joint or muscle pain,
unexplained fever,
rapid heartbeat,
chest pain,
swollen ankles or feet,
numbing or tingling in hands or feet

isosorbide dinitrate

(generic available)

Isordil

-

Wyeth

Headache, rash, dizziness, upset stomach, headache, flushing (feeling of warmth),

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Blurred vision,
dry mouth,
chest pain,
fainting

isosorbide mononitrate

(generic available)

Imdur
Ismo

10
30
60
120

-

ESP Pharma.
Schering

-

nitroglycerin

(generic available)

Nitrobid
Nitrostat

-

Aventis
Pfizer

Headache, rash, dizziness, upset stomach, flushing (feeling of warmth),

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Blurred vision,
dry mouth,
chest pain,
fainting

nitroglycerin

(generic available)

NitroQuick

-

Phizer

-

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.
7. Non-heart Drugs That Cause Heart Attacks

celecoxib

Celebrex

-

-

Celebrex Heart Attack

Heart Attack
Stroke
Vioxx Class Action Lawsuits
Full List

rofecoxib

Vioxx

-

-

Recalled 2004

valdecoxib

Bextra

-

-

Recalled 2005

  Primary Use

Company

.
Notes

Lipitor

$6,165M

cholesterol

Pfizer

Lipitor Rules!

7

Plavix

$3,082M

anticoagulant

Bristol-Myers Squibb
Sanofi-Aventis

Big seller

>200

>200

Vytorin

$1,938 M

cholesterol

Merck

Rapid growth

126

Zetia

$1,405 M

cholesterol

Merck

>200

Crestor

$1,367 M

cholesterol

AstraZeneca

Diovan

$1,117 M

hypertension - AIIRA

Novartis

Tricor

$1,106 M

cholesterol

Abbott Labs

Diovan HCT

$1,051 M

Combo - AIIRA + HCTZ

Novartis

Coreg

$1,013 M

Beta blocker

GlaxoSmithKline

Topped out

Lotrel

$ 908 M

Combo - ACE In. + CCB

Novartis

Declining fast

Toprol XL

$ 888 M

hypertension - BB

Astrazeneca

Declining fast

10

9

Norvasc

$ 749 M

hypertension - CCB

Pfizer

Dropped like a rock

Lovenox

$ 746 M

anticoagulant

Sanofi-Aventis

Slow growth

Altace

$ 710 M

hypertension - ACE In.

Wyeth

Topped out

Cozaar

$ 652 M

hypertension - AIIRA

Merck

Topped out

163

122

Niaspan

$ 546 M

cholesterol

Kos Pharma.

Growing

101

Hyzaar

$ 499 M

hypertension

Merck

Topped out

>200

>200

131

104

Benicar HCT

$ 414 M

Combo - AIIRA + HCTZ

Sankyo Pharma.

Slow growth

>200

>200

197

121

Caduet

$ 388 M

Combo - chol. + CCB

Pfizer

Growing

119

113

Avapro

$ 384 M

hypertension - AIIRA

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Waning

>200

>200

126

108

Benicar

$ 369 M

hypertension - AIIRA

Sankyo Pharma.

Slow growth

4

5

Procrit

$ 353 M

anemia

J & J

Whoops! Gone bad.

>200

180

116

111

Avalide

$ 328 M

Combo - AIIRA + HCTZ

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Slow growth

>200

>200

167

160

Catapres-TTS

$ 187 M

hypertension - AA

Boehringer-Ingelheim

Topped out

>200

>200

>200

>200

Welchol

$ 161 M

cholesterol

Sankyo Pharma.

New

>200

>200

183

181

Atacand

$ 160 M

hypertension - AIIRA

Astrazeneca

Slow growth

108

123

137

154

Coumadin Tabs

$ 160 M

anticoagulant

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Going bad

>200

>200

>200

>200

Micardis

$ 148 M

hypertension - AIIRA

Boehringer-Ingelheim

New

Coreg CR

$ 144 M

hypertension - BB

GlaxoSmithKline

Whoops! Gone bad.

>200

199

138

151

>200

Lescol XL

?

cholesterol

Abbott Labs

These drugs have fallen off the map.
Once thought good, where are they now?

2

2

4

8

>200

Zocor

?

cholesterol

Merck

>200

Pravachol

?

cholesterol

Bristol-Myers Squibb

187

>200

Aranesp

?

anemia

Amgen

9

>200

>200

>200

Epogen

?

anemia

Amgen

158

149

>200

>200

>200

lisinopril

?

hypertension - ACE In.

Teva Pharma.

Wicked cough

135

>200

>200

>200

>200

Lotensin

?

hypertension - ACE In.

Novartis

Cough

128

>200

>200

>200

>200

Monopril

?

hypertension - ACE In.

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Cough

-

  Red = Sales drop from previous year
  Green = Sales increase from previous year
  >200 = Drugs that have shrunk in sales

-

40

40

40

40

40

80

60

160 - 768

120

150

DISCLAIMER
Top Selling Drugs data from drugs.com.
The author has no medical training. No advice is intended.
Although the author has tried to be as accurate as possible, errors, mis-statements and misspellings are possible.
Use this heart medicine guide to begin your in-depth study of the medications that concern you.
Consult your doctor for personal advice. I could not find a simple heart drug list. So, I compiled the one above, to help myself understand heart treatment alternatives. I hope that it helps you.

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