Examples
Hydralazine
| hydralazine |
|
| hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate |
BiDil |
Nitrates
| isosorbide dinitrate |
Isordil |
| isosorbide mononitrate |
|
| nitroglycerin |
|
How It Works
Vasodilators work on different substances
in the body to help widen (dilate) blood vessels. It is easier for the heart to
pump blood if the blood vessels are widened.
Vasodilators can improve
heart failure symptoms by:
- Dilating coronary arteries. This can help more blood reach your heart muscle.
- Dilating leg veins. This can lower the
amount of blood returning to the heart and limit the buildup of fluid
in your lungs.
- Dilating systemic arteries. Systemic arteries are blood vessels that carry blood to the
rest of the body (excluding the heart and lungs). By dilating these
arteries, vasodilators may relieve some of the work your heart needs to
do.
- Dilating pulmonary arteries. Dilating the arteries of the lungs (pulmonary arteries) also reduces the
amount of work your heart needs to do.
Why It Is Used
Vasodilators are often combined with
other medicines to treat
heart failure. Hydralazine taken with a nitrate may be
used as an alternative to angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors if ACE
inhibitors cannot be tolerated.1
How Well It Works
For heart failure, hydralazine is
typically used along with a nitrate. But nitrates may be used alone, without
hydralazine, if you are taking it to relieve
angina symptoms.
If you take hydralazine
with a nitrate, you will also take other medicines for heart failure such as
ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers. This combination of medicines may help
relieve symptoms and lower the risk of early death. This benefit has been shown
in African Americans but has not been shown in other groups of people.2
Side Effects
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Hives.
- Blurred vision.
- Severe headache that does not go away.
- Skin rash.
Common side effects of this medicine include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Headache.
- Flushing, or feeling warm, in the face and neck.
- Nausea.
- Swelling from fluid buildup.
See Drug Reference for a full
list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Do not take an erection-enhancing medicine such as sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra) if you are taking a nitrate. Combining these two drugs can cause a life-threatening drop in blood pressure.
If you have angina, you might take nitroglycerin to manage your symptoms. Nitroglycerin for angina is taken as a
pill or a liquid spray. Skin patches or paste are also available to prevent
angina. For more information, see:
- Using Nitroglycerin for Angina
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
For tips on taking medicine for heart failure, see:
Heart Failure: Taking Medicines Properly.
Advice for women
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
- Drugs for treatment of chronic heart failure (2009). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 7(83): 53–56.
- Hunt SA, et al. (2009). 2009 focused update
incorporated into the ACC/AHA 2005 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, 119(14): e391–e479.
Credits
| By |
Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer |
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer |
Margaret Hetherington, PHM, BsC - Pharmacy |
| Last Revised |
April 26, 2012 |
Drugs for treatment of chronic heart failure (2009). Treatment Guidelines From The Medical Letter, 7(83): 53–56.
Hunt SA, et al. (2009). 2009 focused update
incorporated into the ACC/AHA 2005 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, 119(14): e391–e479.
