Heart Failure Medications
Taking your heart failure medications as prescribed is one of the most
important things you can do to manage your heart failure. The more you know
about your medications and how they work, the easier it will be for you to stay
on track.
Common types of medications used to treat heart failure include:
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Beta-blockers
- Digoxin
- Diuretics
- Vasodilators/Nitrates
- Potassium or magnesium
- Aldosterone inhibitors (spironolactone)
- Calcium channel blockers (for diastolic dysfunction only)
- Inotropic therapy
Angiotensin enzyme (ACE) inhibitors:
|
Medication Names |
| captopril (Capoten) |
enalapril (Vasotec) |
| lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) |
benazepril (Lotensin) |
| fosinopril (Monopril) |
ramipril (Altace) |
| quinapril (Accupril) |
perindopril (Aceon) |
| trandolapril (Mavik) |
moexipril (Univasc) |
Why this medication is prescribed: ACE inhibitors are a type of
vasodilator that dilate (widen) the blood vessels to improve the amount of blood
the heart pumps. ACE inhibitors also increase blood flow, which will help
decrease the amount of work the heart has to do. ACE inhibitors also block some
of the harmful substances (angiotensin) that are produced as a result of heart
failure. They also block some of the harmful responses of the endocrine system
that may occur with heart failure.
ACE inhibitors are critical in the treatment of heart failure when systolic
dysfunction is present. Systolic dysfunction occurs when the heart muscle
doesn't contract with enough force, so there is not enough oxygen-rich blood to
be pumped throughout the body. ACE inhibitors may also be prescribed for the
treatment of diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction occurs when the heart
contracts normally, but the ventricle doesn't relax properly so less blood can
enter the heart. Your doctor can discuss which condition is present in your
heart.
When to take: These medications are usually taken on an empty stomach
one hour before meals. Follow the label directions on how often to take this
medication. The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between
doses and how long you need to take the medication will depend on the type of
ACE inhibitor prescribed, as well as your condition.
Special directions
- While taking this medication, have your blood pressure and kidney function
checked regularly, as advised by your doctor.
- Never stop taking your medication, even if you feel that it is not
working. Your heart failure symptoms may not improve right away when taking
ACE inhibitors. However, long-term use of ACE inhibitors helps manage
chronic heart failure and reduces the risk that your condition will become
worse.
Food and drug interactions
- While taking an ACE inhibitor medication, do not use salt substitutes:
they contain potassium and ACE inhibitor medications cause the body to
retain potassium. Learn how to read food labels to choose low-sodium and
low-potassium foods. A dietitian can help you select low-sodium and
low-potassium foods.
- Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (like
ibuprofen or naproxen) and aspirin may cause the body to retain (keep)
sodium and water, and decrease the effect of an ACE inhibitor. Check with
your health care provider before taking any anti-inflammatory medications.
Side effects and how to manage them
- Red, itchy skin rash
Contact your doctor; do not treat the rash yourself.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness when you get out of bed or rise
from a chair
This side effect may be strongest after the first dose, especially if you
have been taking a diuretic (water pill). Get up more slowly. Contact your
doctor if these symptoms persist or are severe.
- Salty or metallic taste, decreased ability to taste
This effect usually goes away as you continue taking the medication.
- Cough
If this symptom persists or is severe, contact your doctor. Otherwise,
ask your doctor what type of cough medicine you may use to control the
cough.
- Sore throat; fever; mouth sores; unusual bruising; fast or irregular heart
beat; chest pain; swelling of feet, ankles, lower legs
Contact your doctor.
- Swelling of your neck, face and tongue
Contact your doctor right away!
- Signs of too much potassium in the body: confusion; irregular heartbeat;
nervousness; numbness or tingling in hands, feet or lips; shortness of
breath or difficulty breathing; weakness or heaviness in legs
Contact your doctor right away.
- If you become sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, you may become
dehydrated, which can lead to low blood pressure.
Contact your doctor.
Also contact your doctor if you have any other symptoms that cause concern.
Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
Medication Names:
- losartan (Cozaar)
- valsartan (Diovan)
- irbesartan (Avapro)
- candesartan (Atacand)
Why this medication is prescribed: ARBs are used to decrease blood
pressure in people with heart failure. ARBs decrease certain chemicals that
narrow the blood vessels so blood can flow more easily through your body. They
also decrease certain chemicals that cause salt and fluid build-up in the body.
ARBs, at the present time, are generally prescribed only when you can not
tolerate an ACE inhibitor. Ongoing clinical trials will soon give further
insight into the best prescription practices for ARBs in patients with heart
failure.
When to take: ARBs can be taken on an empty or full stomach. Follow
the label directions on how often to take this medication. The number of doses
you take each day, the time allowed between doses and how long you need to take
the medication will depend on the type of ARB inhibitor prescribed, as well as
your condition. Note: it may take many weeks for you to feel the full effects of
the medication.
Special directions: While taking this medication, have your blood
pressure and kidney function checked regularly, as recommended by your doctor.
Food and drug interactions: There are no specific food or drug
interactions with ARBs.
Side effects and how to manage them
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness when you get out of bed or rise
from a chair
This side effect may be strongest after the first dose, especially if you
have been taking a diuretic (water pill). Get up more slowly. Contact your
doctor if these symptoms persist or are severe.
- Diarrhea, muscle cramps or weakness, back or leg pain, insomnia
(difficulty sleeping), sinusitis or upper respiratory infection
Contact your doctor if these symptoms are persistent or severe.
- Irregular heartbeat, or fast or slow heartbeat
Contact your doctor if these symptoms are persistent or severe.
- Confusion
Contact your doctor right away.
- If you become sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, you may become
dehydrated, which can lead to low blood pressure.
Contact your doctor.
- Also contact your doctor if you have any other symptoms that cause
concern.
Beta-blockers
Medication Names:
- bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- carvedilol (Coreg)
- metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL)
Why this medication is prescribed: Beta-blockers improve the
heart's ability to relax and decrease the production of harmful substances
produced by the body in response to heart failure. Over time, beta-blockers
improve the heart's pumping ability.
Beta-blockers are essential for patients who have mild to moderate
congestive heart failure. Whether or not beta blockers should be prescribed for
patients with severe congestion and symptoms is still unclear. Beta-blockers are
also used to control high blood pressure.
When to take: These medications should always be taken with meals or
right away after meals. Food delays how fast beta-blockers are absorbed and
should reduce side effects. Follow the label directions on how often to take
this medication. The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between
doses and how long you need to take the medication will depend on your
condition.
Special directions
- Beta-blockers should not be used if you have severe lung congestion,
extremely low blood pressure (hypotension) or slow pulse (bradycardia).
- While taking this medication, your health care provider may tell you to
take and record your pulse daily. He or she will tell you how rapid your
pulse should be. If your pulse is slower than it should be, contact your
doctor about taking your beta-blocker that day.
- Never stop taking your medication, even if you feel that it is not
working. When you start taking beta-blockers, your heart failure symptoms
may become worse (for about 2 1/2 months) while your heart adjusts to the
medication. Once your heart adjusts, you will feel better.
- Long-term use of beta-blockers helps manage chronic heart failure and
reduces the risk that your condition will worsen.
Food and drug interactions: Beta-blockers are generally
prescribed with diuretics, ACE inhibitors and digoxin. If you have more side
effects after taking your medications together, contact your health care
provider. You may need to change the times you are taking each medication.
Side effects and how to manage them:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
This side effect may be strongest when you get out of bed or rise from a
chair. Get up more slowly. Contact your doctor if these symptoms persist or
are severe.
- Tiredness, cold hands and feet, headache, nightmares, difficulty sleeping,
nausea, heartburn, diarrhea or constipation, gas
Contact your doctor if these symptoms are severe or persist.
- Sudden weight gain
Weight gain is common as your doctor increases your medication dose. Call
your doctor if you gain 2 or more pounds in one day or if you continue to
gain weight for more than 2 days.
- Increased shortness of breath; wheezing; difficulty breathing; skin rash,
slow, fast or irregular heartbeat; swelling of feet and lower legs; sudden
weight gain; chest (heart) pain
Contact your doctor right away.
- If you have severe vomiting or diarrhea, you may become dehydrated
(lose too much water from the body), which can lead to low blood pressure. Contact
your doctor.
Also contact your doctor if you have any other symptoms that cause
concern.
Digoxin
Medication names:
- Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps)
- Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
Why this medication is prescribed: Digoxin helps an injured or
weakened heart to work efficiently and to send blood through the body. It
strengthens the force of the heart muscle's contractions, helps restore a
normal, steady heart rhythm and improves blood circulation.
Digoxin is one of four primary medications used to treat the symptoms of
heart failure. It may also be prescribed if you have atrial fibrillation
(irregular heart beat rhythm).
When to take: Digoxin is usually taken once a day. Try to take
this medication at the same time every day. Follow the label directions on how
often to take it. The time allowed between doses and how long you need to take
it will depend on your condition. You may have to take this medication for a long
time; possibly for the rest of your life.
Special directions
- While taking this medication, your health care provider may tell you to
take and record your pulse daily. He or she will tell you how rapid your
pulse should be. If your pulse is slower than recommended, contact your
doctor about taking digoxin that day.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so your response
to the drug can be monitored. You may have electro-cardiograms (EKGs) and
blood tests, and your dose may be adjusted.
- This medication may cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate
machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
Food and drug interactions
- Digoxin is generally prescribed in combination with diuretics, an ACE
inhibitor and a beta-blocker. If you experience an increase in side effects
after taking your medications together, contact your health care provider.
You may need to change the times you are taking each medication.
- If you are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take it at least two hours
after digoxin to prevent interactions.
- Consult with your doctor before taking these over-the-counter medications,
as they can interfere with the effects of digoxin: antacids; asthma
remedies; cold, cough or sinus medicine; laxatives, medicines for diarrhea;
or diet medications.
- Follow your doctor's dietary advice, which may include:
-- Following a low-sodium diet
-- Taking a potassium supplement or including high-potassium foods (such as
bananas and orange juice)
Side effects and how to manage them
Loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting; changes in vision, such as
flashes or flickering of light, sensitivity to light, seeing things larger or
smaller than they are, blurring, color changes (yellow or green) and seeing
halos or borders on objects; drowsiness, headache, confusion, depression,
fatigue and muscle weakness; irregular heart beat or slow heart rate
Contact your doctor right away. Your dose may need to be changed. Once you
and your doctor have determined the correct dose, you usually will not
experience side effects if you take digoxin exactly as prescribed.
Also contact your doctor if you have any other symptoms that cause concern.
Diuretics
Medication names:
- furosemide (Lasix)
- bumetanide (Bumex)
- torsemide (Demadex)
- hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
- metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
Categories of diuretics: Diuretics are categorized as thiazide-like
(metolazone and hydrochlorothiazide) and loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide).
Why this medication is prescribed: Diuretics, also commonly
known as "water pills" cause the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water
and salt from the tissues and bloodstream into the urine. Getting rid of excess
fluid makes it easier for your heart to pump. It is used to treat high blood
pressure and reduce the swelling and water build-up caused by various medical
problems, including heart failure. It also helps make breathing easier.
When to take: Follow the label directions on how often to take
this medication. If you are taking a single dose a day, take it in the morning
with your breakfast or right away after eating your breakfast. If you are taking
more than one dose a day, take the last dose no later than 4 p.m.
The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses
and how long you need to take the medication will depend on the type of diuretic
prescribed, as well as your condition.
Special directions
- Weigh yourself at the same time every day (on the same scale) and record
your weight. Call your doctor if you gain 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in
one week.
- While taking this medication, have your blood pressure and kidney function
tested regularly, as advised by your doctor.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your
response to this medication can be monitored.
Food and drug interactions
- Diuretics are generally prescribed in combination with an ACE inhibitor,
digoxin, and a beta-blocker. If you experience an increase in side effects
after taking your medications together, contact your health care provider.
You may need to change the times you are taking each medication.
- Potassium-sparing diuretics increase the effects of digoxin and lithium.
They may increase your body's potassium level if taken with ACE inhibitors.
- Before this medication is prescribed, tell your health provider if you are
taking: other medications for high blood pressure, digoxin, indomethecin,
lithium, probenecid or corticosteroids (prednisone).
- Before this medication is prescribed, tell your health care provider if
you have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or gout.
- Follow your doctor's dietary advice, which may include:
-- Following a low-sodium diet
-- Taking a potassium supplement or including high-potassium foods (such as
bananas and orange juice). Note: some types of diuretics cause your body to
lose potassium.
-- If you are taking a "potassium-sparing" diuretic (triamterene
or spirnolactone), your doctor may want you to avoid potassium-rich foods,
salt substitutes, low-sodium milk and other dietary sources of potassium.
- Alcohol and sleep aids may increase the side effects of this medication
and should be avoided.
Side effects and how to manage them:
- Frequent urination
This may last for up to six hours after a dose.
- Extreme tiredness or weakness
These effects should decrease as your body adjusts to the medication.
Call your doctor if these symptoms persist.
- Muscle cramps or weakness, thirst
Be sure that you are taking your potassium supplement correctly, if
prescribed. Contact your doctor if these symptoms persist.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
Try rising more slowly when getting up from a lying or sitting position.
- Blurred vision, confusion, headache, increased perspiration (sweating),
restlessness
If these effects persist or are severe, contact your doctor.
- Dehydration -- signs include dizziness, extreme thirst, excessive dryness
of the mouth, decreased urine output, dark-colored urine or constipation.
If these symptoms occur, don't assume you need more fluids. Call your
doctor if these symptoms occur.
- Fever, sore throat, cough, ringing in the ears, unusual bleeding or
bruising, rapid and excessive weight loss
Contact your doctor right away.
- Skin rash
Stop taking the medication and contact your doctor right away.
- Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or muscle cramps
Be sure that you are taking your potassium supplement correctly, if
prescribed.
Contact your doctor if you have any other symptoms that cause concern.
Vasodilators/Nitrates
Medication names:
- isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Iso-Bid, Isonate, Isorbid, Isordil,
Isotrate, Sorbitrate)
- isorbide mononitrate (IMDUR)
- hydralazine (Apresoline)
Why this medication is prescribed: Vasodilators are used
to treat heart failure and control high blood pressure by relaxing the blood
vessels so blood can flow more easily through the body. Vasodilators are
prescribed for patients who are can not take ACE inhibitors.
When to take: Follow the label directions on how often to take
this medication. Take this medication at evenly spaced times, with meals, while
you are awake.
The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses
and how long you need to take the medication will depend on your condition.
Special directions
- While taking this medication, have your blood pressure checked regularly,
as advised by your doctor.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your
response to the drug can be monitored.
- This medication may cause dizziness. Do not drive a car or operate
dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
Side effects and how to manage them:
- Headache; rapid, irregular or pounding heartbeat; numbness or tingling of
the fingers or toes; loss of appetite and diarrhea
Your doctor will probably prescribe additional medication to control
these side effects. If they persist, contact your doctor.
- Upset stomach, flushing of face or neck
Contact your doctor if these side effects are persistent or severe.
- Fever, joint or chest pain, sore throat, skin rash (especially on the
face), unusual bleeding or bruising, weight gain, swelling of the ankles.
Contact your doctor right away.
Potassium or Magnesium
Medication names:
- Potassium: Kaochlor 10%, Kaon CL, Kay Ciel, K-Lor, Klotrix, K-Lyte,
Slow-K, K-Dur and others
- Magnesium oxide: (Mag-Ox, Uro-Mag)
Why this medication is prescribed: Potassium and magnesium
replace potassium which can be lost because of increased urination when taking
diuretics.
When to take: Take this medication right after meals or with
food. Follow the label directions on how often to take it. The number of doses
you take each day, the time allowed between doses and how long you need to take
it will depend on the type of medication prescribed, as well as your condition.
Special directions
- While taking this medication, have your blood pressure checked regularly,
as advised by your doctor.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your
response to the drug can be monitored.
Food and drug interactions
- If you are using a salt substitute, tell your doctor. Many salt
substitutes contain potassium. Follow your doctor's dietary guidelines for
including potassium foods in your diet.
- Your doctor will consider the other heart failure medications you are
taking, such as ACE inhibitors or certain diuretics, when determining your
potassium dosage.
Side effects and how to manage them
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort
Take the medication with or right after meals with a full glass of water
or fruit juice. If these side effects continue, contact your doctor.
- If you take controlled-release tablets or capsules and experience severe
vomiting (especially blood) and abdominal pain or swelling,
stop taking the medication and contact your doctor right away.
- Black, tarry or bloody stools (signs of stomach bleeding)
Contact your doctor right away.
- (Rare) Confusion; irregular or slow heartbeat; numbness or tingling in
hands, feet, or lips; shortness of breath or difficult breathing;
unexplained anxiety; unusual tiredness or weakness
Contact your doctor right away.
Aldosterone inhibitor
Medication names
- spirnolactone (Aldactone)
Why this medication is prescribed: Spirnolactone is a
potassium-sparing diuretic. It used to be prescribed to reduce the swelling and
water build-up caused by heart failure. Diuretics cause the kidneys to get rid
of unneeded water and salt from the tissues and blood into the urine.
In the past few years, spirnolactone has been prescribed in low doses
to prevent heart failure symptoms from becoming worse. Spirnolactone protects
the heart by blocking a certain chemical (aldosterone) in the body that causes
salt and fluid build-up. This medication is used to treat patients with severe
heart failure when systolic dysfunction is present.
When receiving spirnolactone, you will be given a low dose that does
not provide enough diuretic effects by itself. Your doctor will prescribe a loop
or thiazide-like diuretic in addition to spirnolactone.
When to take: Follow the label directions on how often to take this
medication. If you are taking a single dose a day, take it in the morning with
your breakfast or right after eating your breakfast. If you are taking more than
one dose a day, take the last dose no later than 4 p.m.
The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and how
long you need to take the medication will depend on your condition.
Special directions
- Weigh yourself at the same time every day (on the same scale) and record
your weight. Call your doctor if you gain 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in
one week.
- While taking this medication, have your blood pressure and kidney function
tested regularly, as advised by your doctor.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your
response to this medication can be monitored.
Foods and drug interactions
- Spirnolactone is generally prescribed in combination with an ACE
inhibitor, digoxin, other diuretic and beta-blocker. If you experience an
increase in side effects after taking your medications together, contact
your health care provider. You may need to change the times you are taking
each medication.
- Before this medication is prescribed, tell your health provider if you are
taking: other medications for high blood pressure, cyclosporine,
potassium-containing medications, digoxin or lithium.
- Before this medication is prescribed, tell your health care provider if
you have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, gout, a history of kidney
stones, menstrual problems or breast enlargement.
- Follow your doctor's dietary advice, which may include:
-- Following a low-sodium diet
-- Taking a potassium supplement or including high-potassium foods (such as
bananas and orange juice)
Side effects and how to manage them
- Extreme tiredness
This side effect may be strongest when you first start taking the
medication. It should decrease as your body adjusts to the medication. Call
your doctor if this symptom persists.
- Increased urination
This is normal and may last for up to 6 hours after a dose.
- Abnormal enlargement of one or both breasts in men. May be associated with
breast pain.
This is a temporary side effect. Contact your doctor if this symptom
persists or is severe.
- Upset stomach
Take this medication with meals or milk to reduce this symptom. Contact
your doctor if this symptom persists or is severe.
- Skin rash or itching
Stop taking the medication and call your doctor right away.
- Shortness of breath
Call your doctor right away.
- Confusion; irregular heartbeat; nervousness; numbness or tingling in the
hands, feet or lips
Contact your doctor right away.
Calcium channel blockers
Medication names:
- amlodipine (Norvasc)
- felodipine (Plendil)
Why this medication is prescribed: Calcium channel blockers are
prescribed to treat angina (chest pain) and high blood pressure. Calcium channel
blockers affect the movement of calcium in the cells of the heart and blood
vessels. As a result, calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels and increase
the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, while reducing its workload.
Calcium channel blockers are only used to treat heart failure caused by high
blood pressure when other medications to lower blood pressure are ineffective.
Calcium channel blockers should NOT be used if you have heart failure due to
systolic dysfunction.
When to take: Take this medication with food or milk. Follow the label
directions on how often to take it. The number of doses you take each day, the
time allowed between doses and how long you need to take it will depend on the
type of medication prescribed and on your condition.
Special directions
- While taking this medication, have your blood pressure checked regularly,
as advised by your doctor.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your
response to the drug can be monitored.
- While taking this medication, your health care provider may tell you to
take and record your pulse daily. Your provider will tell you how rapid your
pulse should be. If your pulse is slower than advised, contact your doctor
about taking your channel blocker that day.
Food and drug interactions
- Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking a calcium
channel blocker.
- Alcohol interferes with the effects of calcium channel blockers and
increases the side effects -- it should be avoided while taking this
medication.
Side effects and how to manage them
- Drowsiness, increased appetite
Contact your doctor if these side effects are persistent or severe
- Weight gain, breathing difficulty, coughing or wheezing, irregular or slow
heartbeat, skin rash
Contact your doctor right away.
Inotropic therapy
Medication names:
- dobutamine (Dobutrex)
- milrinone (Primacor)
Why this medication is prescribed: Inotropic therapy is used to
stimulate an injured or weakened heart to pump harder to send blood through the
body. They help the force of the heart muscle's contractions and relax
constricted blood vessels so blood can flow more smoothly. Inotropic therapy may
also speed up the heart's rhythm.
Inotropic therapy is used in end-stage heart failure to help relieve and
control heart failure symptoms so that you are better able to perform your daily
activities. These medications are only used when other medications no longer
control heart failure symptoms.
When to take: Inotropic therapy is first administered in the hospital
where you can be closely monitored.
Dobutamine and milrinone are intravenous medications that will be
administered by an infusion pump to help ensure the dose is accurate. These
medications may be ordered by your doctor to be given continuously or
periodically over 6 to 72 hours, one or more times per week.
Special directions
- Even if you feel well, do not discontinue your inotropic therapy
medication from your intravenous catheter line or from your infusion pump
without consulting your doctor. If you take one of these medications after
being discharged from the hospital, a home health nurse will provide
specific directions on how to care for your intravenous site, catheter and
infusion pump. Do not skip doses or take less or more of the medication than
your doctor prescribed.
- Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so your response
to this medication can be monitored.
- While taking this medication, your health care provider will tell you to
take and record your pulse daily. Your provider will tell you how rapid your
pulse should be. If your pulse is higher than advised, contact your doctor.
- While taking this medication, your health care provider will also tell you
to take and record your blood pressure daily. Your provider will tell you
what your blood pressure range should be. If your blood pressure is lower
than advised, contact
your doctor.
- Be sure that you always have enough infusion bags of your
medication. Check your supply before vacations, holidays or other occasions
when you may be unable to obtain it.
- Never administer other intravenous medications through the same
intravenous line.
- Take precaution to prevent infection while you are taking this
medication. Your health care provider will give you information on how to
prevent infection.
Food and drug interactions
- Carefully follow the low-sodium (low-salt) diet and daily exercise
program advised by your doctor.
- Alcohol increases the side effects of this medication and should be
avoided.
Side effects and how to manage them
Notify
your doctor or nurse right away the first time any of these side effects occur:
- Headache
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Shortness of breath
- Faintness, dizziness or lightheadedness
- Mild leg cramps or tingling sensation
Contact your doctor if these symptoms are persistent or severe.
If any of these side effects occur, STOP THE INFUSION and contact
your doctor right away:
- Irregular, fast heartbeat (more than 120 beats per minute)
- Pain or swelling at infusion site
- Fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher.
- Pump malfunction. (Then call the pharmacy immediately for a replacement).
© Copyright 1995-2005 The
Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
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