Cardiovascular
107 drugs
ACE inhibitors
- About this sectionMedicines that block the enzyme making angiotensin II, so vessels relax and the heart and kidneys work under…
- CaptoprilAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
- EnalaprilAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
- LisinoprilAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
- PerindoprilAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
- RamiprilAngiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
Adrenergic neuron blockers
- About this sectionOld antihypertensives that empty or block the noradrenaline stores of sympathetic nerves. Today they are…
- Metirosine (metyrosine)Tyrosine hydroxylase
- ReserpineVesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2)
Alpha blockers
- About this sectionMedicines that block alpha adrenergic receptors, relaxing vessels and the prostate. Used for benign…
- DoxazosinAlpha-1 adrenergic receptors
- PhenoxybenzamineAlpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors (covalent bond)
- PhentolamineAlpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors
- PrazosinAlpha-1 adrenergic receptors
- TamsulosinAlpha-1A adrenergic receptor
- TerazosinAlpha-1 adrenergic receptors
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- About this sectionMedicines that stop angiotensin II from acting on its AT1 receptor. They lower blood pressure much like ACE…
- CandesartanAngiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor
- IrbesartanAngiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor
- LosartanAngiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor
- TelmisartanAngiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor
- ValsartanAngiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor
Angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors (ARNI)
- About this sectionA combination that blocks the AT1 receptor and the enzyme neprilysin, so natriuretic peptides last longer…
- Sacubitril/valsartanNeprilysin (neutral endopeptidase)
ANGPTL3 inhibitors
- About this sectionDrugs that neutralise ANGPTL3, a liver protein that brakes lipases. They lower LDL without needing LDL…
- EvinacumabAngiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3), a circulating inhibitor of lipoprotein and endothelial lipases
Antiarrhythmics
- About this sectionMedicines that slow, convert or prevent abnormal heart rhythms by acting on ion channels, beta receptors or…
- AdenosineAdenosine A1 receptor (AV node)
- AmiodaroneCardiac potassium (hERG/IKr), sodium and L-type calcium channels; β-adrenergic receptors (the L-type calcium channel Cav1.2 is shown)
- DisopyramideCardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 (and muscarinic receptors)
- DofetilidehERG potassium channel (IKr)
- DronedaroneCardiac potassium (hERG/IKr and others), sodium and L-type calcium channels; also beta-adrenergic receptors
- FlecainideCardiac sodium channel Nav1.5
- IbutilideCardiac repolarising currents (slow inward sodium current and hERG/IKr)
- MexiletineCardiac sodium channel Nav1.5
- ProcainamideCardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 (and potassium channels, through its metabolite NAPA)
- PropafenoneCardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 (and β-adrenergic receptors)
- QuinidineCardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 (and potassium channels)
- VernakalantAtrial potassium currents (IK,ACh; Ito through Kv4.3) and hERG, plus rate-dependent sodium-channel block
ATP-citrate lyase (ACL) inhibitors
- About this sectionOral cholesterol-lowering drugs that block an enzyme one step before the statin target, inside liver cells…
- Bempedoic acidATP-citrate lyase (ACLY)
Beta blockers
- About this sectionMedicines that shield the heart from adrenaline: the heart beats slower and with less force, so it needs…
- Atenololβ1-adrenergic receptor
- Bisoprololβ1-adrenergic receptor
- Carvedilolβ- and α1-adrenergic receptors
- Esmololβ1-adrenergic receptor
- Labetalolβ- and α1-adrenergic receptors
- Metoprololβ1-adrenergic receptor
- Nebivololβ1-adrenergic receptor
- Propranololβ-adrenergic receptors (β1 and β2)
- SotalolhERG potassium channel (IKr) and β-adrenergic receptors
Bile acid sequestrants
- About this sectionNon-absorbed resins that trap bile acids in the gut. The liver uses cholesterol to make new bile acids, so…
- ColesevelamBile acids in the gut lumen
- ColestipolBile acids in the intestinal lumen (anion-exchange resin)
- ColestyramineBile acids in the gut lumen
Calcium channel blockers
- About this sectionMedicines that block L-type calcium channels, so arteries relax and, with some members, the heart beats…
- AmlodipineL-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.2)
- DiltiazemL-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.2)
- NicardipineL-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.2)
- NifedipineL-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.2)
- NimodipineL-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.2)
- VerapamilL-type voltage-gated calcium channel (CaV1.2)
Cardiac glycosides
- About this sectionPlant-derived medicines (from foxglove) that make the heart contract a little stronger and slow conduction…
- DigoxinNa⁺/K⁺-ATPase (sodium-potassium pump)
Cardiac myosin inhibitors
- About this sectionOral drugs that calm an overactive heart muscle by limiting myosin-actin cross-bridges. Used in obstructive…
- MavacamtenCardiac β-myosin (MYH7), motor domain ATPase
Centrally acting antihypertensives
- About this sectionBlood pressure medicines that act in the brainstem to turn down the sympathetic nervous system. Methyldopa…
- ClonidineAlpha-2A adrenergic receptor
- LofexidineAlpha-2A adrenergic receptor
- MethyldopaAlpha-2A adrenergic receptor (through alpha-methylnorepinephrine)
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- About this sectionDrugs that block cholesterol uptake in the small intestine. Ezetimibe is the usual add-on when a statin…
- EzetimibeNPC1L1 sterol transporter
Direct renin inhibitors
- About this sectionAntihypertensives that block renin itself, the first step of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
- AliskirenRenin
Direct vasodilators
- About this sectionMedicines that relax the muscle of blood vessels directly. They lower blood pressure strongly but trigger a…
- HydralazineArteriolar smooth muscle (molecular target not fully established)
- MinoxidilATP-sensitive potassium channel of vascular smooth muscle (SUR2 subunit)
- NesiritideNatriuretic peptide receptor A (NPR-A)
- Sodium nitroprussideSoluble guanylyl cyclase (activated by the nitric oxide it releases)
Fibrates
- About this sectionPPAR-alpha agonists that mainly lower triglycerides. Used for very high triglycerides, especially to reduce…
- FenofibratePPARα (nuclear receptor)
- GemfibrozilPPARα (nuclear receptor)
Ganglionic blockers
- About this sectionDrugs that block nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, switching off both sympathetic and…
- MecamylamineNeuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of autonomic ganglia (channel blocker)
Haemorheologic agents
- About this sectionXanthine derivatives that make blood flow more easily through narrowed small vessels. Pentoxifylline is used…
- PentoxifyllinePhosphodiesterases (non-selective; PDE4A shown)
Microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitors
- About this sectionOral drugs that stop the liver and gut from assembling VLDL and chylomicrons. Reserved for homozygous…
- LomitapideMicrosomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), large subunit
Nicotinic acid and derivatives
- About this sectionNiacin (vitamin B3) at lipid-lowering doses: it lowers triglycerides and LDL and raises HDL, but flushing…
- Nicotinic acid (niacin)Niacin receptor HCA2 (GPR109A)
Organic nitrates
- About this sectionVasodilators that release nitric oxide and relax mainly the veins, easing the heart's work in angina. Never…
- Glyceryl trinitrateSoluble guanylate cyclase (activated by the nitric oxide released from the drug)
- Isosorbide dinitrateSoluble guanylate cyclase (activated by nitric oxide)
- Isosorbide mononitrateSoluble guanylate cyclase (activated by nitric oxide)
Other antianginals
- About this sectionAntianginals outside the nitrate, beta blocker and calcium channel blocker groups: ivabradine slows the…
- IvabradineHCN4 channel of the sinoatrial node (If current)
- RanolazineCardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 (late sodium current)
- TrimetazidineLong-chain 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (mitochondrial)
PCSK9 inhibitors
- About this sectionInjectable antibodies that stop PCSK9 from destroying LDL receptors. They lower LDL strongly on top of a…
- AlirocumabPCSK9 (circulating protein)
- EvolocumabPCSK9 (circulating protein)
- InclisiranPCSK9 messenger RNA in liver cells (blocks PCSK9 protein synthesis)
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors
- About this sectionDrugs that keep cGMP high in smooth muscle, so blood vessels relax. Used for erectile dysfunction and…
- SildenafilPhosphodiesterase type 5 (cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase)
- TadalafilPhosphodiesterase type 5 (cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase)
- VardenafilPhosphodiesterase type 5 (cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase)
Prescription omega-3 fatty acids
- About this sectionPurified fish-oil fatty acids (EPA, with or without DHA) that lower triglycerides; one, icosapent ethyl…
- Icosapent ethylHepatic triglyceride and VLDL synthesis (no single protein target)
Pulmonary arterial hypertension drugs (endothelin receptor antagonists and prostacyclins)
- About this sectionMedicines that relax and remodel the narrowed lung arteries of pulmonary arterial hypertension, easing the…
- AmbrisentanEndothelin receptor type A
- BosentanEndothelin receptors type A and type B
- EpoprostenolProstacyclin receptor (IP receptor)
- IloprostProstacyclin receptor (IP receptor)
- MacitentanEndothelin receptors type A and type B
- SelexipagProstacyclin receptor (IP receptor)
- SotaterceptActivin A and related ligands (GDF8, GDF11), trapped by an ActRIIA–Fc fusion protein
- TreprostinilProstacyclin receptor (IP receptor)
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators
- About this sectionDrugs that switch on the nitric oxide receptor in blood vessels, raising cGMP and relaxing them. Used in…
- RiociguatSoluble guanylate cyclase (α1β1), the nitric oxide receptor
- VericiguatSoluble guanylate cyclase (α1β1), the nitric oxide receptor
Statins
- About this sectionThe main cholesterol-lowering drugs: they slow the liver's cholesterol production, lower LDL and prevent…
- AtorvastatinHMG-CoA reductase
- FluvastatinHMG-CoA reductase
- LovastatinHMG-CoA reductase
- PravastatinHMG-CoA reductase
- RosuvastatinHMG-CoA reductase
- SimvastatinHMG-CoA reductase
Vasopressors and inotropes
- About this sectionIntravenous medicines that raise blood pressure or make the heart pump harder in shock. They are high-alert…
- DobutamineBeta-1 adrenergic receptor
- DopamineDopamine D1 receptor (also beta-1 and alpha-1 adrenergic receptors)
- EphedrineAlpha and beta adrenergic receptors, plus release of stored norepinephrine
- EpinephrineAlpha and beta adrenergic receptors (beta-2 shown)
- IsoprenalineBeta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors
- LevosimendanCardiac troponin C (calcium sensitiser); also ATP-sensitive potassium channels
- MidodrineAlpha-1 adrenergic receptors (through desglymidodrine)
- MilrinonePhosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3)
- NorepinephrineAlpha-1 adrenergic receptor (also beta-1)
- PhenylephrineAlpha-1 adrenergic receptor
A to Z
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Representative model, for educational purposes only.