Stroke Medications

What are the side effects of my medications?

Each medication has its own side effects. You can learn more about the side

effects of any medication you take by reading the medication information handouts provided by your hospital or pharmacist. These handouts tell you about the side effects you may notice and when to contact your doctor. Stroke medications In general, contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital if you have:

• trouble breathing • fast or irregular heart beats What medications help? • fainting • bleeding – nosebleeds, black or Medications are used for many reasons. You will have your own bloody stools, red urine • dizziness medication plan to follow based on your condition. You may • severe stomach pain • severe skin rash need medication to: • increased swelling in both • severe tiredness or weakness ankles, legs, feet or hands • help prevent blood clots

• help prevent another stroke Call your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any questions about • lower your blood pressure your medication. • lower cholesterol

• help your heart beat more slowly and strongly Carry an up-to-date list of your medications and dosages with you all the time. It is important that you take your medications as prescribed. Never take anyone else’s medications. Do not share your medications with other people. What do I need to know about my medications before I leave the hospital? What are the common medications? You, your family members and partner need to know: The chart on the next few pages lists the common medications used to • the correct name and dose of your medications prevent stroke and treat heart disease. Medication names are listed by • why you are on these medications their generic name first and then some of the common trade names • how to take your medications correctly in brackets. • where to keep your medications • the possible side effects of your medications As many companies can make the same medication, not all names • how to refill your prescription are listed. New medications often come on the market that may not be listed. Your nurse, doctor and pharmacist will help you learn this information about your medications while you are at the hospital. Your community If you have any questions, please ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. pharmacist will review this information with you each time you refill your prescription as well.

2 3 Stroke medications Stroke medications

Generic and Trade Names What medication does Generic and Trade Names What medication does (generic names are listed 1st with no capital letters) (generic names are listed 1st with no capital letters) Type of medication Type of medication Angiotensin-Converting Enzymes • lowers blood pressure Non-heart rate controlling: • helps prevent and treat angina (ACE) Inhibitors: • used to treat heart failure amlodipine (Norvasc®) • lowers blood pressure benazepril (Lotensin®) • reduces risk of heart attack felodipine (Plendil®, Renedil®) captopril (Capoten®, Apo-Capto®) and stroke nifedipine (Adalat PA, Adalat XL®) cilazapril (Inhibace®) Diuretics • lowers high blood pressure enalapril (Vasotec®) Do not take both an ACE and furosemide (Lasix®) • removes excess fluids from the body fosinopril (Monopril®) an ARB medication together. hydrochlorothiazide to reduce swelling lisinopril (Prinivil®, Zestril®) (Apo Hydro®/Novo-Hydrazide®) quinapril (Accupril®) indapamide (Lozide®) perindopril (Coversyl®) Lipid Lowering Agents - Statins: • lowers your total cholesterol and your ramipril (Altace®) atorvastatin (Lipitor®) bad (LDL) chelesterol trandolapril (Mavik®) fluvastatin (Lescol®) • may lower triglycerides Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB) • lowers blood pressure lovastatin (Mevacor®) • may increase your good (HDL) candesartan (Atacand®) • may be used instead of ACE pravastatin (Pravachol®) cholesterol eprosarten (Teveten®) Inhibitor if that medication causes rosuvastatin (Crestor®) • helps prevent another stroke, irbesartan (Avapro®) you to cough simvastatin (Zocor®) even when your blood cholesterol Lipid Lowering Agents - Fibrates: losartan (Cozaar®) Do not take both an ACE and is normal telmisarten (Micardis®) an ARB medication together. bezafibrate (Bezalip®) valsartan (Diovan®) fenofibrate (Lipidil Micro®) Beta Blockers • lowers heart rate and blood pressure gemfibrozil (Lopid®) Lipid Lowering Agents - Others: acebutolol (Sectral® , Monitran®) • helps to treat and prevent angina ezetimibe (Ezetrol®) atenolol (Tenormin®) • helps to prevent a heart attack in nicotinic acid (Niacin) bisoprolol (Monocur®) patients who have had one carvedilol (Coreg®) Platelet Inhibitors and • used to prevent blood clots or metoprolol (Lopressor®) Do not take these medications if Anticoagulant Medications platelets from sticking together pindolol (Visken®) you have asthma. acetylsalicylic acid, ASA (Aspirin®, • helps to reduce the chance of stroke propranolol (Inderal®) Entrophen®, Novasen®) • you may be on more than one of timolol (Blocadren®) acetylsalicylic acid, ASA+ dipyridamole these medications (Aggrenox®) Calcium Channel Blockers • helps prevent and treat angina clopidogrel (Plavix®) Heart rate controlling: • used to lower heart rate and/or ticlopidine (Ticlid®) diltiazem (Cardizem®SR, blood pressure warfarin (Coumadin®) Cardizem®CD, Tiazac®)

verapamil (Isoptin®, Isoptin SR®)

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