Generic Equivalents

Beta Blockers are used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and heart rhythm disturbances. Beta blockers have been shown to be effective at reducing the risk of heart attack and reduces the risk of death in patients with heart failure.

Beta Blocker, Cardiac, generic, Heart Failure, KMart, Kroger, medication, medication name, Target, Walmart

Calcium Channel Blockers are used to treat hypertension and heart rhythm disturbances.

Calcium channel blockers inhibit the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle.  This reduces cardiac contractility and vascular smooth muscle tone.  These two actions result in a decreased blood pressure.

*Also contains Trandolapril
**Also contains Benazepril
***Also includes Atorvastatin

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ACE-Is (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors) are used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure.  ACE-Is have been shown to reduce the risk of death in patients with CHF.

*Also contains hydrochlorothiazide
** Also contains verapamil
*** Also contains felodipine
**** Also contains amlodipine

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2-Azetidinones (Cholesterol absorption inhibitors) are used to reduce cholesterol levels.  Ezetimibe is the only 2-Azetidinone on the market.

Ezetimibe is a cholesterol lowering medication that acts by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the small intestine. Ezetimibe binds to the Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein on intestinal epithelial cells and hepatocytes, preventing the absorption of dietary cholesterol.  This leads to lower serum cholesterol levels.

Because Ezetimibe works in a way very different than statins. Combining ezetimibe and a statin can result in even lower cholesterol levels than each drug could acheive if taken alone.

*Also contains simvastatin

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Antiplatelet agents are a class of pharmaceuticals that decreases platelet aggregation and inhibit thrombus (clot) formation.  Antiplatelet agents are used for the primary and secondary prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease.

Antiplatelet agents decrease platelet aggregation by different methods -

• Aspirin inhibits the COX enzymes, causing decreased production of TXA2
• Dipyridamole (an Aggrenox component) inhibits platelet phosphodiesterase, which increases PGI2 levels.  PGI2 inhibits TXA2.
• Clopidogrel (Plavix) inhibits the ADP-dependent activation of the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex

*Also contains aspirin

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