Medicine for heart failure can help to decrease workload on the heart. It may also help your heart work better. The type of medicine will depend on your needs and overall health.
Ask your doctor about any special steps you may need. Follow any instructions from your doctor. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions about medicine use or side effects.
Prescription Medications
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Chlorothiazide
- Metolazone
- Furosemide
- Bumetanide
- Triamterene
- Spironolactone
- Torsemide
- Indapamide
- Polythiazide
- Amiloride
- Combination agents
- Eplerenone
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
- Captopril
- Enalapril
- Lisinopril
- Benazepril
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Fosinopril
- Moexipril
- Trandolapril
- Perindopril
- Isosorbide dinitrate
- Nesiritide
- Hydralazine
- Nitrate drugs
- Minoxidil
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Losartan
- Irbesartan
- Valsartan
- Candesartan
- Eprosartan
- Telmisartan
- Olmesartan
- Metoprolol
- Atenolol
- Carvedilol
- Bisoprolol
- Propranolol
- Sotalol
- Pindolol
- Penbutolol
- Acebutolol
- Timolol
- Nadolol
- Betaxolol
- Digoxin
- Digitoxin
Prescription Medications
Common names include:
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Chlorothiazide
- Metolazone
- Furosemide
- Bumetanide
- Triamterene
- Spironolactone
- Torsemide
- Indapamide
- Polythiazide
- Amiloride
- Combination agents
Diuretics can affect fluid levels in your body. It encourages the passing of water and sodium from the body. You may have heard them referred to as water pills. They are used to treat heart failure and high blood pressure.
Possible general side effects include:
- Altered potassium levels, which can cause muscle cramping and abnormal heart rhythms
- Low blood pressure
- Light-headedness
Common names include eplerenone
MRAs are used to treat high blood pressure. It may be used in people who have heart failure after a heart attack.
Possible general side effects include:
Common names include:
- Captopril
- Enalapril
- Lisinopril
- Benazepril
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Fosinopril
- Moexipril
- Trandolapril
- Perindopril
ACE inhibitors help to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. This can ease the workload on the heart. It can decrease symptoms and prolong life in people with heart failure.
Possible general side effects include:
- Cough and occasional rash
- Altered sense of taste
- Increased potassium levels, altered kidney function
Common names include:
- Isosorbide dinitrate
- Nesiritide
- Hydralazine
- Nitrate drugs
- Minoxidil
Heart failure often leads to tightened blood vessels. It increases blood pressure and workload of the heart. Vasodilators help to open blood vessels. This will lower blood pressure and decrease stress on the heart.
Possible general side effects include:
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Light-headedness, which can lead to fainting
- Headache
- Flushing
- Racing heart or palpitations
Common names include:
- Losartan
- Irbesartan
- Valsartan
- Candesartan
- Eprosartan
- Telmisartan
- Olmesartan
ARBs are similar to ACE inhibitors. However, they do not cause coughing as much as ACEs. ARBs can have very rare, but severe side effects. ACE inhibitors may be used along with ARBs in some with severe heart failure.
Possible side effects:
- Upper respiratory infections
- Light-headedness
- Nasal congestion
- Muscle cramps
- Back pain
Common names include:
- Metoprolol
- Atenolol
- Carvedilol
- Bisoprolol
- Propranolol
- Sotalol
- Pindolol
- Penbutolol
- Acebutolol
- Timolol
- Nadolol
- Betaxolol
Beta-blockers help to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure. They are used for mild to moderate heart failure. They are often used along with other medicine.
Possible side effects:
- Decreased sexual ability
- Trouble sleeping
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Low blood pressure, which can make you feel tired, light-headed, or faint
- Decreased ability to participate in strenuous physical activity
Special Considerations
If you are taking medicines, follow these general guidelines:
- Take the medicine as directed. Do not change the amount or the schedule.
- Ask what side effects could occur. Report them to your doctor.
- Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any prescription medicine.
- Plan ahead for refills if you need them.
- Do not share your prescription medicine with anyone.
- Medicines can be dangerous when mixed. Talk to your doctor if you are taking more than one medicine. This includes over the counter products and supplements.
Note: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can make your condition worse. Talk to your doctor about other medicine that is safe.
References
ACCF/AHA Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of heart failure in adults. A Report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2009;119(14):1977-2016.
Flather MD, Yusuf S, et al. Long-term ACE-inhibitor therapy in patients with heart failure or left-ventricular dysfunction: a systematic overview of data from individual patients. ACE-Inhibitor Myocardial Infarction Collaborative Group. Lancet. 2000;355:1575
Heart failure medications. American Heart Association website. Available at: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/PreventionTreatmentofHeartFailure/Heart-Failure-Medications%5FUCM%5F306342%5FArticle.jsp. Accessed September 15, 2020.
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/heart-failure-with-reduced-ejection-fraction . Accessed September 15, 2020.
How is heart failure treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hf/treatment.html. Accessed September 15, 2020.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
- Update Date: 11/10/2020