Vasodilators are drugs used to widen blood vessels . This group of drugs can be used to overcome high blood pressure (hypertension) , heart failure, and angina .
Vasodilators work by relaxing the muscles of blood vessels. If the blood vessels widen, the blood flow becomes smoother so that the workload of the heart in pumping blood can be reduced.
Vasodilators can also be used to overcome high blood pressure in pregnant women (preeclampsia), cardiomyopathy , subarachnoid hemorrhage, Buerger's disease , or Raynaud's syndrome . Examples of drugs that are included in the vasodilator group are calcium antagonists, nitrates, angiotensin II receptor inhibitors (ARBs), and ACE inhibitors.
Precautions Before Using Vasodilators
Vasodilators can only be used according to a doctor 's prescription . Before using this medicine, pay attention to the following things:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Vasodilators should not be used in patients who are allergic to this drug.
- Tell your doctor if you have had or are currently suffering from low blood pressure ( hypotension ), angioedema, rheumatic heart disease , or myocardial infarction in the right heart chamber.
- Perform routine examinations according to the schedule given by the doctor during treatment with vasodilators.
- Avoid driving or doing activities that require alertness during treatment with vasodilators, because this drug can cause dizziness.
- Avoid smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages during treatment with this medicine.
- Tell your doctor if you are using or consuming certain drugs, supplements, or herbal products, to anticipate drug interactions.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant.
- Immediately see a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction, serious side effects, or overdose, after using a vasodilator.
Side Effects and Dangers of Vasodilators
There are several side effects that can arise due to the use of vasodilators, namely:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Drown
- Cough
- Turn
- Tired
- Stomach pain
- Impotence
- Kidney disorders
- Heat and redness appear on the skin ( hot flashes )
- Swelling ( edema )
- Rapid heartbeat ( palpitations )
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fast heartbeat ( tachycardia )
- Headache
- Excessive hair growth
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
Check with your doctor if the above side effects appear. You should also go to the doctor immediately if you have a drug allergic reaction after using a vasodilator.
Types and Brands of Vasodilators
The following are the types of drugs included in the vasodilator group, complete with trademarks and drug preparations:
1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
This drug works by inhibiting the activity of the ACE enzyme ( angiotensin converting enzyme ) and reducing the amount of angiotensin in the blood. Angiotensin is a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow. By reducing the amount of angiotensin, blood vessels will widen and blood pressure will decrease.
Examples of ACE inhibitor drugs are:
Captopril
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Acepress, Captopril, Dexacap, Etapril, Farmoten, Forten, Otoryl, Prix, Tensicap, Vapril
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the captopril drug page .
Lisinopril
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Inhitril, Interpril, Lipril, Lisinopril Dihydrate, Noperten, Nopril, Odace, Tensinop, Tensifar
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the lisinopril drug page .
Perindopril
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Bioprexum, Bioprexum Plus, Cadoril, Cosyrel, Coveram, Triplixam
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the perindopril drug page .
Ramipril
Drug form: tablets, caplets
Trademarks: Emerten, Hyperil, Ramipril, Tenapril, Triatec, Vivace
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the ramipril drug page .
Enalapril
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Tenace, Tenaten
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the enalapril drug page .
Trandolapril
Drug form: tablets
Trademark: Tarka
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the trandolapril drug page .
2. Angiotensin II receptor blockers ( angiotensin receptor blockers) or ARBs
This drug dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin from sticking to the muscle of blood vessels. Examples of ARB drugs are:
Candesartan
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Blocand, Blopin, Blopress, Candepress, Canderin, Candesartan Cilexetil, Candotens, Desarvas, Gionix, Unisia
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the candesartan drug page .
Irbesartan
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Aprovel, Betaven, Cardiocom, Coaprovel, Irbesal, Irbesartan, Irbeten, Irtan, Irvell, Tensira
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the irbesartan drug page .
Telmisartan
Drug form: tablets, caplets
Trademarks: Co-Telsaril, Micardis, Nuzartan, Simtel, Telgio, Telmisartan, Telsat, Tinov, Twynsta
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the telmisartan drug page .
Valsartan
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Diovan, Exforge, Lapiva, Tensor, Uperio, Valesco, Valrin, Valsartan, Valtensi, Vardipin, Varten, Vastan
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the valsartan drug page .
Losartan
Drug form: tablets, caplets
Trademarks: Acetensa, Angioten, Cozaar, Insaar, Lifezar, Losargard, Losartan Potassium, Santesar
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the losartan drug page .
Eprosartan
Drug form: tablets
Trademark: Teveten
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the eprosartan drug page .
Olmesartan
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Normetec, Olmetec, Oloduo
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the olmesartan drug page .
3. Calcium antagonists ( calcium channel blockers ) or CCB
Calcium is used by muscle cells of blood vessels in the process of muscle contraction or narrowing of blood vessels. This drug works to inhibit calcium entering the muscle cells so that the blood vessel muscles will become weak. Examples of CCB drugs are:
Amlodipine
Drug form: tablets, caplets
Trademarks: Amivask, Amlodipine Besilate, Asylate, Calsivas, Cardisan, Dilavask, Harvask, Intervask, Natexam, Provask, Selescardio, Theravask
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the amlodipine drug page .
Nifedipine
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Adalat Oros, Calcianta, Farmalat, Nifedipine, Niprocor, Zendalat
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the nifedipine drug page .
Nicardipine
Drug form: injection
Trademarks: Anhisan, Blistra, Carsive, Dipitenz, Nicafer, Nicardex, Nicardipine HCl, Nicardipine Hydrochloride, Nicarfion, Quadipine, Tensilo, Verdif
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the nicardipine drug page .
Nimodipine
Drug form: tablet, infusion
Trademarks: Ceremax, Nimodipine, Nimodipine G, Nimotop, Nimox
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the nimodipine drug page .
Verapamil
Drug form: tablets, caplets
Trademarks: Isoptin SR, Tarka, Verapamil HCl, Verapamil Hydrochloride
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the verapamil drug page .
Diltiazem
Drug form: tablet, capsule, injection
Trademarks: Cordila SR, Dilmen, Diltiazem HCl, Diltiazem Hydrochloride, Farmabes, Herbesser
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the diltiazem drug page .
4. Nitrates
Nitrate will be changed by the body into nitrogen monoxide (NO), which is a chemical that can activate other chemicals to widen the arteries and veins. In general, nitrates are used in the treatment of angina. Examples of nitrates are:
Nitroglycerin ( glyceryl trinitrate )
Drug form: tablet, capsule, injection
Trademarks: DBL Glyceryl Trinitrate Concentrate Injection, Glyceryl Trinitrate, Nitral, Nitrokaf Retard, NTG
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the nitroglycerin drug page .
Isosorbide mononitrate _
Drug form: tablets
Trademarks: Cardismo, Imdur, Imocard SR, Monecto
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the isosorbide mononitrate drug page .
Isosorbide d initrate
Drug form: tablet, injection
Trademarks: Cedocard, Farsorbide, Isonat, Isorbide, Isosorbide Dinitrate, Monecto 20, Nosorbide
To find out the dosage and more information about this drug, please visit the isosorbide dinitrate drug page .
Amyl nitrite
Drug form: inhaled liquid (inhalation)
Trademarks:-
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the amyl nitrite drug page .
5. Peripheral vasodilators
Peripheral vasodilators drugs widen blood vessels in parts of the body far from the heart, such as the hands and feet. That way, the heart can work more easily in pumping blood to those parts of the body. Examples of peripheral vasodilators are:
Isoxsuprine
Drug form: tablet, injection
Trademarks: Duvadilan, Hystolan, Isoxsuprine Hydrochloride, Proterine, Tonotan, Uterlax
To find out the dose and more information about this drug, please visit the isoxsuprine drug page .
In addition to the drugs above, there are also several other types of drugs that have the effect of dilating blood vessels (vasodilation), namely beta blockers ; alpha blocker ( alpha blocker ); prostacyclin analogs, such as iloprost; and alpha receptor agonists , such as clonidine and methyldopa .