Heart and blood pressure
Nitrates
Used for
Chest pain (angina)
How it works
Widen blood vessels so the heart has less work to do and needs less oxygen.
Watch for
Never with erectile dysfunction drugs like sildenafil: blood pressure can drop dangerously.
- Examples
- nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
- isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur)
More in heart and blood pressure
- ACE inhibitorsHigh blood pressure, heart failure
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)High blood pressure, heart failure
- ARB + neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)Heart failure
- Beta blockersHigh blood pressure, fast heart rate, chest pain
- Calcium channel blockersHigh blood pressure, chest pain
- Alpha blockersEnlarged prostate (BPH); some lower blood pressure
- Thiazide diureticsHigh blood pressure, mild swelling
- Loop diureticsFluid buildup (edema), heart failure
- Potassium-sparing diureticsHeart failure, blood pressure, fluid
- Cardiac glycosidesHeart failure, atrial fibrillation
- AntiarrhythmicsIrregular heart rhythms
A study and reference aid. Follow the product labeling and your pharmacist for anything about a patient's medicine.
Studying for the PTCE?
Drug classes are a big part of the Medications domain. Gutta's lessons and practice questions cover them, with an explanation for every answer.
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