Cardiovascular Agents Preparing Pharmacy TechniciansCardiovascular AgentsCardiovascular agents are used to treat the heart, circulatory, and vascular systems. Each subclass contains a unique active ingredient that targets issues our bodies can't fight alone. Patients who suffer from one or more cardiovascular diseases such as CHF, hypertension and arrhythmia may take several medications for each disease. There are several subclasses that I will discuss. Although they are all used for the cardiovascular system, they target different areas. Ace inhibitors are used to treat hypertension and congestive heart failure (CHF). Most drugs that are Ace inhibitors have the common ending – April. It inhibits an enzyme; this decreases blood vessel tension and blood volume, thereby lowering blood pressure. Lotensin (benzapril) comes in tablet form and is used for oral administration. It is one of the ACE inhibitors indicated to treat hypertension. There is a warning when using Lotensin during pregnancy, this states to stop using it immediately when pregnancy is detected. Vasotec (enalpril) comes in tablet and injection form. It is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and is effective alone or in combination with other Ace-inhibiting agents, including thiazide-type diuretics. There is a warning regarding fetal toxicity; when a pregnancy is detected; stop using. Antiarrhythmic agents are used to suppress abnormal heart rhythms. Many attempts have been made to classify antiarrhythmic agents. There is a problem that many antiarrhythmic agents have multiple actions, making any classification precise. Betapace (sotalol) comes in the form of tablets and oral solution...... middle of paper .......drugs.com/mtm/hylorel.html11. http://www.medicinenet.com/calcium_channel_blockers/article.htm12. http://www.rxlist.com/norvasc-drug/indications-dosage.htm13. http://www.medicinenet.com/bepridil-oral/article.htm14. http://www.drugs.com/drug-class/vasodilators.html15. http://www.medicinenet.com/hydralazine-oral/article.htm16. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6929-Nitrostat+SL.aspx?drugid=6929&drugname=Nitrostat+SL17. http://www.medicinenet.com/angiotensin_ii_receptor_blockers/article.htm18. http://www.medicinenet.com/valsartan/article.htm19. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-degree/alpha-blockers/art-2004421420. http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-3710-Cardura+Oral.aspx?drugid=3710&drugname=Cardura+Oral21. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a693045.html22. http://www.rxlist.com/minipress-drug.htm