Antianginal drugs are medications used to alleviate and prevent angina pectoris (chest pain) resulting from myocardial ischemia.
They work by either increasing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle or decreasing its oxygen demand.
Effective management of angina often involves a combination of these medications tailored to the patient's specific needs.
Classification of Antianginal Drugs:
Vasodilators (Nitrates):
Mechanism: These drugs relax blood vessels, increasing oxygen supply to the myocardium and reducing the workload on the heart.
Examples:
Amyl Nitrite
Nitroglycerin (common for acute angina relief)
Pentaerythritol tetranitrate
Isosorbide dinitrate
Dipyridamole
Calcium Channel Blockers:
Mechanism: These drugs prevent calcium from entering heart and blood vessel cells, leading to muscle relaxation, dilation of arteries, and improved blood flow.
Examples:
Verapamil
Bepridil hydrochloride
Diltiazem hydrochloride
Nifedipine
Amlodipine
Felodipine
Nicardipine
Nimodipine
Summary Table
Category | Medications |
Vasodilators | Amyl Nitrite, Nitroglycerin, Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate, Isosorbide Dinitrate, Dipyridamole |
Calcium Channel Blockers | Verapamil, Bepridil Hydrochloride, Diltiazem Hydrochloride, Nifedipine, Amlodipine, Felodipine, Nicardipine, Nimodipine |
