The Best Guide to Angina Medications That Will Help You Choose Wisely

Angina Medication Consumer Guide

Reviewed by:

Dr. Diana Rangaves, PharmD

Last Reviewed On:

Feb 24, 22
Angina Medication, Angina Medications Coupons, First

Angina pectoris is a symptom of myocardial ischemia and is characterized by the chest pain and discomfort caused by coronary heart disease.

The pain from angina can be uncomfortable at best and is most acute in the center of your chest. Many people find the feeling to be similar to pressure, but it may also feel like fullness or essential pain. The pain may radiate to the neck, shoulder, arm, back, and jaw in some cases.

Not all chest discomfort is angina; gas and heartburn are the most common causes. Lung infections or inflammation in your chest may also create similar feelings of pain.

In addition to treatment for myocardial ischemia, your doctor can also provide prescription treatments for relieving the pain or discomfort caused by angina pectoris.

To treat both the symptom and the underlying myocardial ischemia, your doctor will prescribe both ischemia medications to help deliver oxygen in the blood to the heart and angina medications.

Aspirins are the most easily recognizable angina medications commonly prescribed, but dozens of drug therapies are available to help patients conquer their pain.

ANGINA MEDICATIONS PRICE COMPARISON

There are 78 available drugs used in some form to treat angina. The benefit of this high number is that you have plenty of available options to choose from based on your preference and price as well as what works best for your body.

For your convenience we have linked to all prescription drug prices (shown below) within our database so you can quickly compare and find the lowest prices on many angina medications.

Because there are so many, it’s easier to break them down according to category:

ANTIANGINAL AGENTS

Antianginal agents are used primarily to treat angina. Patients with angina suffer an oxygen imbalance within the heart’s supply and demand. These drugs dilate the patient’s coronary vessels to improve oxygen flow and decrease the heart’s workload.

These include 26 common angina medications listed in order from most popularly described to least:

These antianginal agents are used to manage angina, but they vary significantly to include:

  • Nitrates
  • Beta-blockers
  • Ranolazine
  • Calcium-antagonists

These agents essential in other angina medications categories below.

SALICYLATES

Salicylates are used as part of an angina protocol to reduce inflammation and prevent clotting.

Nineteen common salicylates are used in some form to treat angina:

  • Aspirin
  • Bayer-Aspirin
  • Aspir-81
  • Ecotrin
  • Easprin
  • Bayer Aspirin Regimen
  • Arthritis-Pain
  • Aspir-Low
  • Fasprin
  • Ascriptin
  • Aspergum
  • Aspiritab
  • AspirtabEcpirin
  • Entercote
  • Genacote
  • Halfprin
  • Norwich Aspirin
  • St.Joseph Aspirin

VASODILATORS

Vasodilators are prescription drugs that open up your blood vessels to allow blood to pass through your body at a more relaxed pace. These drugs are used to treat angina, which is often characterized by blockages in your blood vessels, by relaxing the muscles of your vessels to encourage them to open.

Fifteen vasodilators are commonly prescribed for patients being treated for angina:

Vasodilators control your blood pressure by encouraging blood to move freely around your body and lessening your heart's workload. You’ll notice that calcium channel blockers have a similar effect on your blood vessels, but doctors prescribe vasodilators because their mechanism directly targets your vessel walls rather than impacting them as a side effect.

PLATELET AGGREGATION INHIBITORS

Platelet aggregation inhibitors are also known as antiplatelet drugs. These drugs prevent the platelets in your blood from gathering together in big groups, which can cause blood clots. They also promote circulation in your body.

Nineteen platelet aggregation inhibitors are listed as suitable for use as angina medications:

  • Aspirin
  • Bayer Aspirin
  •   Aspir-81
  • Ecotrin
  • Easprin
  • Bayer-Aspirin-Regimen
  • Arthritis-Pain
  • Aspir-Low
  • Fasprin
  • Ascriptin
  • Aspergum
  • Aspiritab
  • Aspirtab
  • Ecpirin
  • Entercote
  • Genacote
  • Halfprin
  • Norwich-Aspirin
  • St.Joseph Aspirin

Antiplatelet drugs are important for angina patients because you’re more susceptible to blood clots, which can cause other complications.

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKING AGENTS

Angina Medication, Angina Medications Coupons, Secondary

Nine calcium channel blocking agents are commonly prescribed:

Calcium channel blocking agents are similar to vasodilators, but you may be prescribed both because although the desired effect is similar, they target different parts of your cardiovascular system.

NON-CARDIOSELECTIVE BETA BLOCKERS

Beta-blockers are used in two cases: to mitigate abnormal heart rhythms and prevent myocardial infarctions (heart attacks). They may be prescribed to patients with angina, mainly if you’ve previously had a heart attack because they’re considered a secondary prevention method.

Ten non-cardio selective beta blockers are prescribed to patients:

Non-cardioselective beta-blockers differ from other drugs in their class because they bind to both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors while others target only beta-1 receptors, which are found in your heart.

CARDIOSELECTIVE BETA-BLOCKERS

Cardioselective beta-blockers bind to the beta-1 receptors found in and around your heart. These drugs reduce the speed of electrical conduction in your heart to slow down your heartbeat.

Seven cardioselective beta blockers prescribed for angina include:

It’s unlikely you’ll be prescribed this drug if you have low blood pressure or a low heart rate.

HEPARINS

Heparins are used in patients who feature a high risk of clotting. It may be prescribed as a treatment for or preventative measure for clots, which are common in patients with angina.

Six heparins prescribed for this purpose include:

Heparin works as an anticoagulant to thin the blood, preventing and treating clots.

GLYCOPROTEIN PLATELET INHIBITORS

Glycoprotein platelet inhibitors bind glycoprotein receptors with platelet’s plasma membranes to stop the adhesion of platelets. When platelets stick together, they can form a blood clot (thrombus).

Two glycoprotein platelet inhibitors are commonly prescribed when treating angina:

  • Integrilin
  • Eptifibatide

THROMBIN INHIBITORS

A thrombin inhibitor works as an anticoagulant to prevent the formation of blood clots.

Two thrombin inhibitors commonly prescribed in cases of angina include:

  • Angiomax
  • Bivalirudin

Anticoagulants are important in patients with heart issues like angina. Because blocked arteries characterize angina, blood is able to move freely. Additionally, while harder plaque blocks arteries, softer plague may rupture and result in blood clots. These clots increase your risk of complications like stroke.

ANTIHYPERLIPIDEMIC COMBINATIONS

Doctors prescribe antihyperlipidemic combination medications to reduce the amount of lipids in your blood. Different drugs serve different functions: some attempt to lower certain types of cholesterol like low-density lipoprotein. Others work to lower your triglyceride levels. Some even raise cholesterol.

Two antihyperlipidemic combinations commonly prescribed include:

In some cases, you may find that your doctor has prescribed both a drug that is both an antihyperlipidemic and antihypertensive. Doctors prescribe these drugs to avoid prescribing two pills and ensure both necessary prescriptions are taken as required.

GROUP II ANTIARRHYTHMICS

Group II antiarrhythmics are more commonly known as beta-blockers.

Beta-blockers reduce the transmission of impulses to prevent your nervous system from stimulating your heart when it otherwise shouldn’t.

Three group II antiarrhythmics are prescribed for angina:

Propranolol is an ingredient used in Inderal products, which is the drug's brand name.

GROUP IV ANTIARRHYTHMICS

Group IV antiarrhythmics are also known as calcium-channel blockers. Their primary function is to reduce the movement of the calcium ions in your cells through inhibiting the calcium channels.

Your doctor may prescribe one of these seven group IV antiarrhythmics to treat your angina:

MISCELLANEOUS ANTIHYPERTENSIVE COMBINATIONS

Miscellaneous antihypertensive combinations work to regulate a patient’s blood pressure. These pharmacological therapies receive the “combinations” descriptor because the average dosage is made up of more than one drug class. Including multiple drug classes in one pill improves compliance and creates better control of the patient’s hypertension.

Two miscellaneous antihypertensive combinations commonly prescribed are:

CHECK THE PRICE OF YOUR ANGINA MEDICATIONS

With so many prescriptions available, patients looking for angina medications have plenty of choices.

Having a choice is a positive thing in healthcare because it allows you to find the drug that works best for you and your symptoms. Work together with your doctor to determine what angina medications are best suited to your needs and don’t forget to check the price of your choice angina medications on eDrugSearch.

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