Here is a complete, well-organized list of cardiac (cardiovascular) medicines by class:
Complete List of Cardiac Medicines
1. ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (Blood Pressure Drugs)
ACE Inhibitors (-pril)
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Captopril | Capoten |
| Enalapril | Vasotec |
| Lisinopril | Zestril, Prinivil |
| Ramipril | Altace |
| Perindopril | Aceon |
| Benazepril | Lotensin |
| Fosinopril | Monopril |
| Quinapril | Accupril |
| Trandolapril | Mavik |
Use: Hypertension, heart failure, post-MI, diabetic nephropathy
SE: Dry cough, angioedema, hyperkalemia
ARBs - Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (-sartan)
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Losartan | Cozaar |
| Valsartan | Diovan |
| Telmisartan | Micardis |
| Irbesartan | Avapro |
| Candesartan | Atacand |
| Olmesartan | Benicar |
| Azilsartan | Edarbi |
| Eprosartan | Teveten |
Use: HTN, heart failure, post-MI (ACE inhibitor intolerant)
SE: Hyperkalemia, renal impairment; NO dry cough
ARNi (Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor)
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Sacubitril/Valsartan | Entresto |
Use: HFrEF (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction)
Beta-Blockers (-olol)
Cardioselective (β1):
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Metoprolol succinate | Toprol-XL |
| Metoprolol tartrate | Lopressor |
| Atenolol | Tenormin |
| Bisoprolol | Zebeta |
| Nebivolol | Bystolic |
| Betaxolol | Kerlone |
| Acebutolol | Sectral |
Non-selective (β1 + β2):
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Propranolol | Inderal |
| Nadolol | Corgard |
| Timolol | Blocadren |
| Pindolol | Visken |
Alpha + Beta Blockers:
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Carvedilol | Coreg |
| Labetalol | Trandate, Normodyne |
Use: HTN, angina, arrhythmias, heart failure, post-MI
SE: Bradycardia, fatigue, bronchospasm (non-selective), sexual dysfunction
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
Dihydropyridines (Peripheral vasodilators - no HR effect):
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Amlodipine | Norvasc |
| Nifedipine | Procardia, Adalat |
| Felodipine | Plendil |
| Nicardipine | Cardene |
| Isradipine | DynaCirc |
| Nisoldipine | Sular |
| Clevidipine | Cleviprex |
Non-dihydropyridines (Heart rate-reducing):
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Verapamil | Calan, Verelan |
| Diltiazem | Cardizem, Tiazac |
Use: HTN, angina, arrhythmias (verapamil/diltiazem), SVT
Diuretics
Thiazides:
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) | Microzide |
| Chlorthalidone | Hygroton |
| Indapamide | Lozol |
| Metolazone | Zaroxolyn |
Loop Diuretics:
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Furosemide | Lasix |
| Bumetanide | Bumex |
| Torsemide | Demadex |
| Ethacrynic acid | Edecrin |
Potassium-Sparing:
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|
| Spironolactone | Aldactone |
| Eplerenone | Inspra |
| Amiloride | Midamor |
| Triamterene | Dyrenium |
Other Antihypertensives
| Drug | Class | Notes |
|---|
| Hydralazine | Direct vasodilator | IV hypertensive emergency |
| Minoxidil | Direct vasodilator | Refractory HTN |
| Clonidine | Central alpha-2 agonist | Also used for withdrawal |
| Methyldopa | Central alpha-2 agonist | Safe in pregnancy |
| Prazosin | Alpha-1 blocker | Also for BPH |
| Doxazosin | Alpha-1 blocker | |
| Terazosin | Alpha-1 blocker | |
| Phentolamine | Alpha blocker | Pheochromocytoma |
| Aliskiren | Direct renin inhibitor | |
| Aprocitentan | Endothelin receptor antagonist | FDA 2024, resistant HTN |
2. ANTIARRHYTHMIC DRUGS (Vaughan-Williams Classification)
Class I - Sodium Channel Blockers
Class Ia (Moderate blockade, ↑ QT):
| Drug | Use |
|---|
| Quinidine | AF, VT |
| Procainamide | VT, AF |
| Disopyramide | AF, VT |
Class Ib (Weak blockade, ↓ QT):
| Drug | Use |
|---|
| Lidocaine | Ventricular arrhythmias, acute VT |
| Mexiletine | Chronic VT |
| Phenytoin | Digitalis-induced arrhythmias |
Class Ic (Strong blockade, no QT change):
| Drug | Use |
|---|
| Flecainide | AF (structurally normal heart) |
| Propafenone | AF, SVT |
| Moricizine | VT |
Class II - Beta-Blockers
Metoprolol, Propranolol, Atenolol, Esmolol (IV), Sotalol (also Class III)
Class III - Potassium Channel Blockers (↑ QT)
| Drug | Notes |
|---|
| Amiodarone | Most effective; hepato/pulmo/thyroid toxicity |
| Dronedarone | AF; less toxic than amiodarone |
| Sotalol | AF, VT; also beta-blocker |
| Dofetilide | AF/flutter |
| Ibutilide | IV, acute AF/flutter conversion |
| Bretylium | Emergency VF |
Class IV - Calcium Channel Blockers
| Drug | Use |
|---|
| Verapamil | SVT, AF rate control |
| Diltiazem | SVT, AF rate control |
Unclassified Antiarrhythmics
| Drug | Use |
|---|
| Adenosine | SVT (first-line, IV bolus) |
| Digoxin | AF rate control, heart failure |
| Magnesium sulfate | Torsades de pointes, hypomagnesemia-VT |
| Atropine | Bradycardia, heart block |
3. ANTIANGINAL DRUGS
Nitrates
| Drug | Route | Duration |
|---|
| Nitroglycerin (GTN) | Sublingual, IV, patch, spray | Ultra-short to long |
| Isosorbide dinitrate | Oral | Intermediate |
| Isosorbide mononitrate | Oral | Long-acting |
| Pentaerythritol tetranitrate | Oral | Long-acting |
Others
| Drug | Mechanism |
|---|
| Ranolazine | Late INa inhibitor; no HR/BP effect |
| Ivabradine | If channel blocker; pure HR reduction |
| Trimetazidine | Metabolic agent (fatty acid oxidation inhibitor) |
| Nicorandil | K-ATP channel opener + nitrate |
4. HEART FAILURE DRUGS
| Drug | Class | Notes |
|---|
| Sacubitril/Valsartan | ARNi | First-line HFrEF |
| Carvedilol, Metoprolol, Bisoprolol | Beta-blockers | Mortality benefit in HFrEF |
| Ramipril, Enalapril | ACE inhibitors | Standard HFrEF |
| Spironolactone, Eplerenone | MRAs | Reduce mortality |
| Furosemide, Torsemide | Loop diuretics | Symptom relief |
| Digoxin | Cardiac glycoside | Rate control + mild inotropy |
| Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin | SGLT2 inhibitors | Proven benefit in HFrEF & HFpEF |
| Ivabradine | If inhibitor | HR reduction in HFrEF |
| Hydralazine + Nitrate | Vasodilator combo | Alternative if ACEi/ARB not tolerated |
| Vericiguat | sGC stimulator | HFrEF with recent decompensation |
| Tafamidis | TTR stabilizer | Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy |
| Eplontersen/Patisiran | RNA-based | hATTR amyloidosis |
5. LIPID-LOWERING / ANTI-ATHEROSCLEROTIC DRUGS
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)
| Drug | Brand |
|---|
| Atorvastatin | Lipitor |
| Rosuvastatin | Crestor |
| Simvastatin | Zocor |
| Pravastatin | Pravachol |
| Lovastatin | Mevacor |
| Fluvastatin | Lescol |
| Pitavastatin | Livalo |
Other Lipid Agents
| Drug | Class |
|---|
| Ezetimibe | Cholesterol absorption inhibitor |
| Evolocumab, Alirocumab | PCSK9 inhibitors |
| Inclisiran | siRNA PCSK9 inhibitor |
| Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil | Fibrates (triglycerides) |
| Niacin | Broad lipid action |
| Colesevelam, Colestipol, Cholestyramine | Bile acid sequestrants |
| Bempedoic acid | ACL inhibitor |
| Icosapentaenoic acid (Vascepa) | Omega-3, ↓ TG & CV events |
6. ANTICOAGULANTS & ANTITHROMBOTIC DRUGS
Anticoagulants
| Drug | Class |
|---|
| Warfarin (Coumadin) | Vitamin K antagonist |
| Heparin (UFH) | Antithrombin activator, IV |
| Enoxaparin, Dalteparin, Tinzaparin | LMWHs |
| Fondaparinux | Factor Xa inhibitor |
| Dabigatran | Direct thrombin inhibitor (DOAC) |
| Rivaroxaban | Factor Xa inhibitor (DOAC) |
| Apixaban | Factor Xa inhibitor (DOAC) |
| Edoxaban | Factor Xa inhibitor (DOAC) |
| Bivalirudin | Direct thrombin inhibitor (IV) |
| Argatroban | Direct thrombin inhibitor (IV, HIT) |
Antiplatelets
| Drug | Mechanism |
|---|
| Aspirin | COX inhibitor |
| Clopidogrel (Plavix) | P2Y12 ADP receptor blocker |
| Ticagrelor (Brilinta) | P2Y12 blocker (reversible) |
| Prasugrel (Effient) | P2Y12 blocker |
| Ticlopidine | P2Y12 blocker (older) |
| Cangrelor | IV P2Y12 blocker |
| Cilostazol | PDE3 inhibitor + vasodilator |
| Dipyridamole | PDE inhibitor + adenosine uptake blocker |
| Abciximab, Eptifibatide, Tirofiban | GP IIb/IIIa inhibitors (IV, ACS) |
| Vorapaxar | PAR-1 thrombin receptor antagonist |
7. INOTROPES, VASOPRESSORS & VASODILATORS (ICU/Acute Care)
Positive Inotropes
| Drug | Notes |
|---|
| Dobutamine | β1 agonist; cardiogenic shock |
| Milrinone | PDE3 inhibitor; acute HF |
| Levosimendan | Ca2+-sensitizer; acute decompensated HF |
| Digoxin | Low-level inotrope; chronic HF |
Vasopressors
| Drug | Receptors |
|---|
| Norepinephrine | α1 > β1 (preferred in septic shock) |
| Epinephrine | β > α; cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis |
| Dopamine | Dose-dependent D1, β1, α1 |
| Vasopressin | V1; adjunct vasopressor |
| Phenylephrine | Pure α1 agonist |
IV Vasodilators
| Drug | Use |
|---|
| Sodium nitroprusside | Hypertensive emergency |
| Nitroglycerin IV | Acute HF, ACS |
| Nesiritide | BNP analogue; acute decompensated HF |
| Clevidipine | Hypertensive emergency |
| Nicardipine IV | Hypertensive emergency |
| Fenoldopam | Dopamine-1 agonist; renal-sparing |
8. PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION (PAH) DRUGS
| Drug | Class |
|---|
| Sildenafil, Tadalafil | PDE5 inhibitors |
| Riociguat | sGC stimulator |
| Bosentan, Ambrisentan, Macitentan | Endothelin receptor antagonists |
| Epoprostenol (Flolan) | IV prostacyclin |
| Treprostinil | Prostacyclin analogue (SC/IV/inhaled) |
| Iloprost | Inhaled prostacyclin |
| Selexipag | Oral prostacyclin receptor agonist |
| Sotatercept (Winrevair) | Activin signaling inhibitor (FDA 2024) |
9. CARDIAC ARREST / RESUSCITATION DRUGS
| Drug | Use |
|---|
| Epinephrine 1mg IV | VF, pulseless VT, asystole, PEA |
| Amiodarone 300mg IV | Refractory VF/VT |
| Lidocaine | Alternative to amiodarone |
| Atropine | Bradyarrhythmias |
| Adenosine | SVT conversion |
| Calcium gluconate | Hyperkalemia, CCB toxicity |
| Sodium bicarbonate | Hyperkalemia, TCA toxicity |
| Magnesium sulfate | Torsades de pointes |
10. ANTIDOTES / REVERSAL AGENTS
| Drug | Reverses |
|---|
| Protamine sulfate | Heparin/LMWH |
| Vitamin K | Warfarin |
| Idarucizumab (Praxbind) | Dabigatran |
| Andexanet alfa (Andexxa) | Rivaroxaban, Apixaban |
| Atropine / Glucagon | Beta-blocker overdose |
| Calcium / Glucagon | CCB overdose |
| Digoxin-specific Fab (Digibind) | Digoxin toxicity |
Sources: Goodman & Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics | Braunwald's Heart Disease | Goldman-Cecil Medicine |
Brown Health Cardiac Medication Guide
Note: This is a reference overview. Drug selection, dosing, and contraindications should always follow current guidelines and be supervised by a qualified clinician.
