Question

outline standard drug regimenfor the treatment of heart failure ?

Answer 1

Regimen is define as a prescribed course of medical treatment, diet, or exercise for promotion or restoration of health.

Standard drug regimen for the treatment of heart failure:-

1)Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor - These drugs help people with systolic heart failure live longer and feel better. ACE inhibitors are drugs that widens blood vessels to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and decrease the workload on the heart. Examples - enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Zestril) and captopril (Capoten).

2)Angiotensin II receptor blocker- These drugs, which include losartan (Cozaar) and valsartan (Diovan), have same benefits as ACE inhibitors. They are used as an alternative for people who are not able to tolerate ACE inhibitors.

3)Beta blockers - These drugs slows down heart rate and reduces blood pressure and also limits or reverses some of the damage to your heart if you have systolic heart failure. Examples include carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor) and bisoprolol (Zebeta).These medicines reduce the risk of some abnormal heart rhythms and reduces chances of dying unexpectedly. Beta blockers may reduce signs and symptoms of heart failure, improve heart function, and help you live longer.

4)Diuretics - Are known as water pills, diuretics make you urinate more frequently and keep fluid from collecting in your body. Diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix), also decrease fluid in your lungs so you can breathe more easily.Because diuretics make your body lose potassium and magnesium. These drugs include spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra).

4)Inotropes - These are intravenous medications used in people with severe heart failure in the hospital to improve heart pumping function and maintain blood pressure.

5)Digoxin (Lanoxin) - This durg is also called as digitalis, increases the strength of your heart muscle contractions. It also tends to slow the heartbeat. Digoxin reduces heart failure symptoms in systolic heart failure. It is mainly given to someone with a heart rhythm problem, such as atrial fibrillation.