Heart Disease: Heart Disease Medicine: Vasodilators

Vasodilators are used for heart failure treatment and to control high blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so blood can flow more easily through the body. Vasodilators are prescribed for people who cannot take ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, or for patients who need an extra medication to control symptoms of heart failure.

Vasodilators include:

• Dilatrate-SR, Iso-Bid, Isonate, Isorbid, Isordil, Isotrate, Sorbitrate (isosorbide dinitrate)
• IMDUR (isorbide mononitrate)
• Apresoline (hydralazine)
• BiDil (hydralazine with isosorbide dinitrate)

How Should I Take Vasodilators?

Follow the label directions on how often to take these medications. Take these medications with meals at evenly spaced times while you are awake. The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and how long you need to take the medications will depend on your condition.

While taking these medications, have your blood pressure checked regularly, as advised by your doctor.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to the drug can be monitored.

What Side Effects Are Associated With Vasodilators?

This medication may cause dizziness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how these drugs will affect you. Other side effects include:

• Headache; rapid, irregular or pounding heartbeat; numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes; loss of appetite and diarrhea. Your doctor will probably prescribe additional medication to control these side effects. If they persist, contact your doctor or nurse.
• Upset stomach, flushing of face or neck. Contact your doctor or nurse if these side effects are persistent or severe.
• Fever, joint or chest pain, sore throat, skin rash (especially on the face), unusual bleeding or bruising, weight gain, swelling of the ankles. Contact your doctor or nurse right away.

Reviewed by the doctors at The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center (2005).