Medicines That Make Heart Failure Worse
Topic Overview
There are many medicines that you'll need to avoid
when you have heart failure. Some are over-the-counter drugs that you can buy
without a prescription. Others are drugs that a doctor may prescribe.
Do not start taking any of the medicines listed in the table below unless
your doctor says it is okay and he or she knows that you have heart failure. If
your heart failure is mild, you may be able to use some of the medicines for a
short time, but it’s very important to ask your doctor first.
If
you are already taking a medicine on the list below, be sure to ask your doctor
or pharmacist if it is okay to take it.
Medicines you may need to avoid
Over-the-counter medicines you may need to avoid (talk to your doctor or pharmacist) | Prescription medicines you may need to avoid (talk to your doctor or pharmacist) |
Pain relievers called NSAIDs - Ibuprofen, such as Advil and Motrin
- Naproxen, such as Aleve
- Aspirin, such as Bayer
- If your doctor has told you to take a
low-dose aspirin every day for your heart problems, it’s probably okay to take
it. Low-dose aspirin can help prevent blood clots and may prevent a stroke or a
heart attack.
- Higher doses of aspirin may make your heart failure
worse. Do not take aspirin for pain, such as from headaches or arthritis. Use
acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, instead.
| Pain relievers - Celecoxib
-
Etodolac
- Indomethacin
- Ibuprofen
-
Ketoprofen
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Piroxicam
- Salsalate
- Sulindac
|
Cold, cough, flu, or sinus medicines - Be sure to check the label. Do not take
medicines that contain pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine, or
oxymetazoline, such as:
- Sudafed.
- Nose sprays
(decongestants), such as Afrin and Dristan.
- Herbal remedies, such
as ma huang and Herbalife.
- Make sure your cough and cold medicines
don't contain aspirin or ibuprofen.
| Antiarrhythmics - These are drugs used to treat a fast or
uneven heart rhythm. You may need to avoid the following:
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Flecainide
- Procainamide
- Propafenone
- Quinidine
- Sotalol
|
Antacids or laxatives that contain sodium - Check the label for sodium or saline. Examples include:
- Antacids, such as Alka-Seltzer.
- Laxatives, such as Fleet Phospho-Soda.
| Calcium channel blockers - People with a certain kind of heart failure
may need to avoid the following medicines:
- If you need to take a calcium channel
blocker for another health problem, such as high blood pressure, your doctor
will watch your health carefully.
|
| | Certain diabetes medicines - Most diabetes drugs are safe to take, but
you may need to avoid the following:
- Metformin
- Rosiglitazone
and pioglitazone
|
| | Certain antibiotics - Some antibiotics may interfere with how
your body uses the medicine digoxin. If you take digoxin, talk with your doctor
before taking antibiotics.
|
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Theresa O'Young, PharmD - Clinical Pharmacy |
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| Last Revised | December 15, 2010 |
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Last Revised:
December 15, 2010
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