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A lot of us were released from
the hospital with a whole suitcase full of meds. It seems like,
once you're diagnosed, your entire life revolves around taking
meds. The fact is, your life pretty much depends on it.
Depending on your situation, you may be on all of these, some of these,
or maybe even a few that aren't listed here. Don't be discouraged
and don't try to judge how sick or well you are based on how much
medication you take. Just remember, everyone is different.
Take your meds religiously, just as the doctor ordered. We may
not like them, but right now they are keeping us alive and allowing us
to heal. You may get off some or all of yours meds eventually, or
you may stay on them for life. For further information on medications, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This is also an excellent website for in-depth information: www.rxlist.com BETA BLOCKERS: Beta-blockers "block" the effects of adrenaline on your body's beta receptors. This slows the nerve impulses that travel through the heart. As a result, your heart does not have to work as hard because it needs less blood and oxygen. Beta-blockers also block the impulses that can cause an arrhythmia. Some brands of Beta Blockers include Betapace (sotalol), Blocadren (timolol), Brevibloc (esmolol), Cartrol (carteolol), Coreg (carvedilol), Corgard (nadolol), Inderal (propranolol), Inderal-LA (propranolol), Kerlone (betaxolol), Levatol (penbutolol), Lopressor (metoprolol), Normodyne (labetalol), Sectral (acebutolol), Tenormin (atenolol), Toprol-XL (metoprolol), Trandate (labetalol), Visken (pindolol), Zebeta (bisoprolol) ACE INHIBITORS: These medicines block an enzyme in the body that is responsible for causing the blood vessels to narrow. If the blood vessels are relaxed, your blood pressure is lowered and more oxygen-rich blood can reach your heart. Some brands of Ace Inhibitors include Accupril (quinapril), Aceon (perindopril), Altace (ramipril), Capoten (captopril), Lotensin (benazepril), Mavik (trandolapril), Monopril (fosinopril), Prinivil (lisinopril), Univasc (moexipril), Vasotec (enalaprilat, enalapril), Zestril (lisinopril) DIURETICS: Sometimes called the water pill or pee pill. Diuretics are sometimes called "water pills." They are used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), high blood pressure (hypertension), or edema (water retention). Diuretics are also prescribed for certain kinds of kidney or liver diseases. There are 3 types of diuretic medicines. Each type works a little differently, but they all lower the amount of salt and water in your body, which helps to lower your blood pressure. Some brands of diuretics include: Aquatensen (methyclothiazide), Diucardin (hydroflumethiazide), Diulo (metolazone), Diuril (chlorothiazide), Enduron (methyclothiazide), Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydro-chlor (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydro-D (hydrochlorothiazide), HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydromox (quinethazone), Hygroton (chlorthalidone), Metahydrin (trichlormethiazide), Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide), Mykrox (metolazone), Naqua (trichlormethiazide), Naturetin (bendroflumethiazide), Oretic (hydrochlorothiazide), Renese (polythiazide), Saluron (hydroflumethiazide), Thalitone (chlorthalidone), Trichlorex (trichlormethiazide), Zaroxolyn (metolazone) DIGITALIS MEDICATIONS: Digitalis medicines strengthen the force of the heartbeat by increasing the amount of calcium in the heart's cells. (Calcium stimulates the heartbeat.) When the medicine reaches the heart muscle, it binds to sodium and potassium receptors. These receptors control the amount of calcium in the heart muscle by stopping the calcium from leaving the cells. As calcium builds up in the cells, it causes a stronger heartbeat. Digitalis medicines control irregular heart rhythms (called arrhythmias) by slowing the signals that start in the sinoatrial (SA) node. This, in turn, reduces the number of signals that travel through the atrioventricular (AV node). Fewer signals mean fewer arrhythmias. Some brands of Digitalis medications include: Lanoxicaps (digoxin), Lanoxin (digoxin), Lanoxin Elixir Pediatric (digoxin), Lanoxin Injection (digoxin), Lanoxin Injection Pediatric (digoxin) POTASSIUM CHLORIDE: Some medications like diuretics, reduce the amount of Potassium that are stored in the body. Some, such as some Ace Inhibitors, can cause a build-up of Potassium. Depending on which medications you take and how your body handles them, you might be given Potassium Chloride supplements to balance the levels of Potassium in your body. MAGNESIUM OXIDE: Magnesium Oxide is an element which is very important to your heart. It effects the rate and strength of your heart beat. Many heart patients are found to have low levels of Magnesium in their bodies, so they are given a supplement to help balance this out. Please speak to your doctor. Remember Milk of Magnesia? Magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea in mild to very severe forms and it's important that you talk to your doctor so he can balance the benefits of Mag Oxide with the dehydrating effects of diarrhea. There are many more medications than those listed here, but these are the most common. Many women are also prescribed anti-depressants and/or anti-anxiety medications. A diagnosis such as this is life-altering and a great many of us need help in coping with it. There are so many of these medications on the market today that everyone should be able to find the one that is best tolerated by her body. Maintaining a positive attitude is an integral part of healing. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. |
