- Blood pressure medications for hypertension and/or heart failure
Amlodipine: lowers blood pressure by relaxing the the blood vessels so the heart does not
have to pump as hard.
High blood pressure can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other
parts of the body.
Lisinopril: Lisinopril is a medication belonging to the drug class of angiotensin-converting
enzyme inhibitors and is used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and heart attacks. For high
blood pressure it is usually a first-line treatment. It is also used to prevent kidney problems i
people with diabetes mellitus. - Cholesterol medications
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Statin therapies, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), are the first-line treatment option for hig
cholesterol.
They work by modifying how much cholesterol the body makes in the liver. Atorvastatin blocks
enzymes in the liver responsible for making cholesterol.
other “Statin” medications include: rosuvastatin (Crestor), lovastatin (Altoprev), simvastatin
(Zocor) - Heart medications for atrial fibrillation, heart disease and congestive heart failure
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is an irregular heart rhythm that begins in your heart’s upper chambers
(atria). Symptoms include fatigue, heart palpitations, trouble breathing and dizziness. Afib i
one of the most common arrhythmias. Risk factors include high blood pressure, coronary
artery disease and having obesity.
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Another class of blood pressure medications is beta-blockers. Metoprolol (Lopressor) is a beta-
blocker that doctors use to treat
- angina
- heart failure
- heart attack
- atrial fibrillation and flu
- high blood pressure
The drug works by blocking beta receptors in the heart. Metoprolol decreases the amount of
blood the heart pumps out, also known as cardiac output. It also helps reduce the stress on
the heart by lowering the heart rate.
- Digoxin. This medicine may control the heart rate at rest, but not as well during activity. Most
people need additional or alternative medicines, such as calcium channel blockers or beta
blockers. - Blood thinners. Also called anticoagulants, these medicines help prevent blood clots and
reduce the risk of stroke. Blood thinners include warfarin (Jantoven), apixaban (Eliquis),
dabigatran (Pradaxa), edoxaban (Savaysa) and rivaroxaban (Xarelto). If you take warfarin,
you’ll need to have regular blood tests to monitor the medicine’s effects. * People takin
blood thinners can bruise easily and will bleed more easily quickly if injured.
4. Thyroid medications
The thyroid is the gland in your neck associated with metabolism—the processes by which
your body makes use of energy. Autoimmune thyroid disease is common in lupus. It is believed
that about 6% of people with lupus have hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and about 2%
have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). A thyroid gland that is functioning improperly can
affect the function of organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, and skin. Hypothyroidis
can cause weight gain, fatigue, depression, moodiness, and dry hair and skin. Hyperthyroidism
can cause weight loss, heart palpitations, tremors, heat intolerance, and eventually lead to
osteoporosis. Treatment for both underactive and overactive thyroid involves getting your
body’s metabolism back to normal.
Thyroid Hormone Replacement Medications
Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothyroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid)
****These medications often are taken on an empty stomach for better absorption and
effectiveness.