Generic: budesonide

Class: loop diuretic

Indication: oedema related to heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, renal impairement, nephrotic syndrome

Dose: 1mg (1mg is equivalent to 40mg frusemide)

Side effects:

common: hyponaturaemia, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, dehydration, hyperuricaemia, gout, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, syncope

Counselling:

You may feel dizzy when taking this medicine.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying.

This medicine is usually only taken once a day.  If you need a second dose, take one in the morning and the other before 6pm.

Generic: frusemide

Class: loop diuretic

Indication: oedema associated with heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, renal impairement and nephrotic syndrome

Dose: 20 - 40mg once or twice daily.  Maintenance 20 - 400mg, max dose 1g

Side effects:

hyponaturaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypokalaemia, hyperuricaemia, gout, syncope, hypotension, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension

Counselling:

This medicine may make you feel dizzy.  Get up slowly when sitting or lying down.

It is usually only taken once a day.  If you need to take it twice a day, take the first dose in the morning and the second before 6pm

Generic: ethacrynic acid

Class: loop diuretic

Indication: oedema associated with heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, renal impairement, nephrotic syndrome

Dose: 50 - 200mg once or twice daily (50mg is equivalent to 40mg frusemide)

Side effects:

hyponaturaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hypokalaemia, dehydration, hyperuricaemia, gout, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, syncope 

Counselling:

This medicine may make you dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying down

This medicine is usually only taken once a day, if you need to take two doses take one in the morning and the second one before 6pm

Generic: ivabradine

Class: 'other drugs for angina'

Indication: stable angina where beta blockers are c/i or not tolerated

Dose: 5mg or 7.5mg bd

Side effects:

common: luminous effects, blurred vision, bradycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, AV block, headache, dizziness

Counselling:

This medicine is best absorbed when taken with food

Interacts with grapefruit juice.

Tell your doctor if your pulse is slow, as your dose may need adjusting

Your vision may be blurred and you may see bright areas.  These effects are most common in the first 2 months then usually go away.  Do not drive at night or operate machinary if you are affected.

Practice Points:

Reserve for those who cannot tolerate other anti-anginal medications as there is little published information.

Monitor for AF, particularly if angina worsens, palpitations or irregular pulse occur.

Ikorel

Generic: nicorandil

Class: other antianginal

Indication: prevention and treatment of stable angina

Dose: 5mg bd

Side effects:

common: headache, dizziness, lethargy, nausea, palpitations, flushing, myalgia

Counselling:

This medicine may make you feel dizzy.  If affected, do not drive or operate machinary 

Practice Points:

Start at low dose to reduce risk of headache

Generic: hydrochlorothiazide

Class: thiazide

Indication:

mild-to-moderate hypertension, oedema associated with heart failure

Dose:

12.5 - 25mg daily

Side effects:

common: dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps, polyuria, orthostatic hypotension, hyponaturaemia, hypokalaemia, hyperuricaemia, hypochloraemic alkalosis, hypomagnesaemia, 

infrequent: rash, hyperglycaemia, hypercalcaemia, blurred vision, impotence, dyslipidaemia

Counselling:

 You may feel dizzy when standing up.  Get up slowly to to minimize this effect.

This is usually only taken once a day, in the morning.  If you need to take a second dose, take it before 6pm

Practice Points:

Use low doses (up to 25mg) as higher doses increase likelihood of metabolic adverse effects without addition antihypertensive effect

Diuretic induced hypokalaemia may be difficult to correct if hypomagnesaemia is present

Generic: chlorthalidone

Class: thiazide-like diuretic

Indication: mild-to-moderate hypertension, oedema related to heart failure

Dose: 12.5 - 50mg daily

Side effects:

common: dizziness, muscle cramps, weakness, polyuria, orthostatic hypotension, hyponaturaemia, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hyperuricaemia, hypochloraemic alkalosis

 Counselling:

May make you feel dizzy.  Get up slowly to minimise this effect.

Usually only taken once a day.  If you need a second dose, take before 6pm.

Practice Points:

Use low doses (under 25mg) as higher doses increase likelihood of metabolic adverse effects without increased antihypertensive activity.

Diuretic-induced hypokalaemia may be difficult to correct if hypomagnesaemia is also present

Generic: bosentan

Class: other drugs for pulmonary hypertension

Indication: pulmonary arterial hypertension

Dose: 62.5 or 125mg bd

Side effects:

liver enzyme changes, reduced haemoglobin, dyspepsia, fatigue, headache, flushing, itch, rash, leg oedema, hypotension, palpitations 

Counselling:

Tell dr immediately if you have dark urine, jaundice, fatigue, nausea or vomitting 

Practice Points:

check haemoglobin at baseline, 1month, 3 months then every 3 months.

check transaminase concentration at baseline, each month during treatment, 2 weeks after an increase in dosaeg

Generic: amiloride

Class: potassium sparing diuretic

Indication: prevention of diuretic-induced hypokalaemia

oedema due to heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome as adjunct to thiazide or loop diuretic

primary hyperaldosteraemia

Dose: 2.5 - 20mg daily

Side effects:

common: hyperkalaemia, hyponaturaemia, hypochloraemia, weakness, headache, nausea, vomitting, constipation, impotence, dizziness, muscle cramps

Counselling:

Take this medicine in the morning

Do not take K+ supplements unless told to

May make you feel dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting or standing to reduce this. 

Practice Points:

Not routinely required for patients on thiazide or loop diuretics, reserve for if K < 3.5mmol/L

Preferred to potassium supplements to prevent diuretic-induced hypokalaemia due to greater convenience and tolerability

Generic: sildenafil

Class: phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor

Indication: pulmonary arterial hypertension

Dose: 20mg tds (some may require up to 80mg tds)

Side effects:

Nose bleeds are common, particularly in people taking anticoagulants

Practice Points:

Increases exercise capacity, but more data needed as to how long effects last

Rapid clinical deterioration may occur when drug is ceased; reduce dose gradually

Generic: vitamin B6

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, pellagra

Dose: 250 mg - 1g tds

Side effects:

common: vasodilation, face and neck flushing, hypotension, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, nausea, vomitting, hyperpigmentation

Counselling:

Seek medical advice promptly if muscle pain, tenderness or weakness occur.

Take with food to reduce stomach upset

Flushing and stomach upset usually stop after 2 - 6 weeks but may start again if you miss a number of doses in a row 

Practice Points:

minimise adverse effects by increasing dose slowly, taking with antacids, or food, or dividing tablets.

Reduce or prevent flushing by taking aspirin 150mg 30minutes before nicotinic acid.

Monitor liver function and glucose levels periodically, especially at the start of treatment

Paroven

Generic: hydroxyethylrutosides

Class: flavanoids

Indication: symptomatic relief in chronic venous insufficiency

Dose: 250mg 1 - 4 times daily

Side effects:

nausea, chronic diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness, rash, flushing, yellow discoloration of skin

Counselling:

Take with food 

Generic: ezetimibe

Class: 'other' drugs for dyslipidaemia

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia

Dose: 10mg once daily

Side effects:

common: headache, diarrhoea

Counselling: tell your doctor if you have any muscle pain, tenderness or weakness

Practice Points:

There is no evidence that this drug reduces clinical events

Until long term studies with clinical outcomes are available it should not be used in preference to agents that have such data to support their use

Generic: fenofibrate

Class: fibrates

Indication: severe hypertriglyceridaemia, dyslipidaemia associated with T2DM, second line for hypercholesterolaemia

Dose: 145mg daily

Side effects:

common: GI disturbances (dyspepsia, abdomnial pain)

Counselling:

Tell your dr if you develop muscle pain, tenderness or weakness, or if your urine is brown.

Photosensitivity

Practice Points:

Measure creatine kinase at baseline

Monitor full blood count and liver function at baseline

Fenofibrate may reduce uric acid levels by 25%

Monitor hepatic transaminase every 3 months during first year and stop treatment if elevated >3 times the upper limit or normal

Generic: perhexiline

Class: 'other drugs for angina'

Indication: angina pectoris refractory to other medical/surgical treatment

Dose: 100 - 300mg once daily

Side effects:

Common: dizziness, nausea, headache, weight loss 

Counselling:

You will need regular blood tests while taking this medicine.

You may feel dizzy while taking this medicine.  Take care when getting up from sitting or lying down.

Practice Points:

monitor clinically, especially for signs of hepatotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy

metabolism is saturable within clinical dose range; dose adjustment should be made cautiously as changes in dose can lead to disproportionate changes in plasma concentration

Generic: gemfibrozil

Class: fibrate

Indication: 2nd line for hypercholesterolaemia, severe hypertriglyceridaemia, dyslidipaemia associated with diabetes

Dose: 600mg bd

Side effects:

common: GI disturbances (eg dyspepsia and abdominal pain), dry mouth, headache, myalgia

infrequent: AF

Counselling:

Best absorbed half an hour before food, but if it upsets your stomach you can take it with food.

Seek prompt medical advice if your urine is dark, or if you experience muscle pain, tenderness or weakness

Practice Points:

Consider gemfibrozil only if more potent agents are not tolerated

measure creatine kinase at baseline

Measure full blood count and liver function at baseline and during treatment

Generic: cholestipol

Class: bile acid binding resins

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, itch associated with partial biliary tract oclusion

Dose: 5 - 10g daily in 1 or 2 doses

Side effects:

constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, flatulance, nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea, anorexia

Counselling:

Mix with milk, juice or highly fluid food such as soup.

Can reduce effect of a number of other medicines.  Take at least 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after other medicines 

Practice Points:

Consider supplementing fat-soluble vitamins

Adding a low dose resin to other lipid regulating treatments is an effective way to reduce LDLs.  However, effects of combination on CV events has not been studied.

Using lower doses reduces ADRs and improves patient compliance

Generic: cholestyramine

Class: bile acid binding resins

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, itch associated with partially obstructed bile duct

Dose: 4 - 16g over 2 - 4 doses.  Max 32 g daily

Side effects:

abdominal pain, constipation, dyspepsia, flatulance, nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea, anorexia

Counselling:

Reduce gritty texture by mixing dose before dose is and refrigerating for at least 4 hours or overnight

Mix with milk, juice or highly fluid food such as soup.

Can affect other medicines.  Take at least 1 hour before or 4 -6 hours after other medications.

Practice Points:

Consider supplementing with fat soluble vitamins

Generic: eplerenone

Class: potassium sparing diuretic

Indication: reduction of CV death in patients with a recent MI (3 - 14 days) with heart failure and left ventricular dysfunction

Dose: 25mg or 50mg daily

Side effects:

common: hyperkalaemia, dizziness, hypotension, altered renal function, increased creatinase concentration

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements while taking this medication unless told to do so by your dr 

Practice Points:

Do not use in patients with other types of heart failure as it has not been studied.

Check K+ levels at baseline and recheck every 3 months

Generic: indapamide

Class: thiazide-like diuretic

Indication: mild-to-moderate hypertension.  Oedema associated with heart failure.

Dose: 1.25 - 2.5mg once daily in morning

Side effects:

common: dizziness, weakness, muscle cramps, polyuria, orthostatic hypotension, hypokalaemia, hyponaturaemia, hypomagnesaemia, hyperuricaemia, hypochloraemic alkalosis

infrequent: rash, hyperglycaemia, hypercalcaemia, blurred vision, impotence, dyslipidaemia

Counselling:

May cause dizziness. Get up slowly from sitting or lying 

Usually only take once daily in the morning.  If you need a second dose, take before 6pm

Practice Points:

Diuretic induced hypokalaemia may be difficult to correct if hypomagnesaemia is also present.

Risk of hypokalaemia is less with 1.5mg SR than 2.5mg immediate release, but still common.

Generic: spironolactone

Class: potassium sparing diuretic

Indication: Primary hyperaldactonism, refractory oedema associated with secondary hyperaldosteronism, hirsutism in females

Dose: 50 - 200mg daily

Side effects: hyperkalaemia, hyponaturaemia, hypochloraemia, weakness, headache, nausea, vomiting, mastalgia

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements while taking this medicine unless told to do so by your dr 

Practice Points:

Reserve spironolactone for use in hirsutism if other treatments are unsuitable

In severe heart failure, monitor potassium levels

Lipitor

Generic: atorvastatin

Class: HMG-CoA reducaste inhibitor

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, hypertensive patients with additional risk factors for CV disease 

Dose: 10 - 80mg daily

Side effects:

common: myalgia, transient GI symptoms, headache, insomnia, dizziness

Counselling:

Seek medical advice if dark urine, or if muscles are painful, tender or weak.

Avoid grapefruit

Practice Points:

Avoid stopping statin if AMI b/c it is associated with an increased rate of cardiac events within 1 week of stopping

Generic: fluvastatin

Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, hypertensive patients with additional CV risk factors

Dose: 20 - 80mg nocte

Side effects:

common: myalgia, mild transient GI symptoms, headache, dizziness, insomnia

Counselling:

Take at night

Avoid grapefruit juice

Seek medical advice if dark urine, or if muscles tender, weak or  painful

Practice Points:

Avoid stopping if AMI, as increased risk of CV events within 1 week of stopping

Generic: rosuvastatin

Class: HMG-CoA reducatase inhibitor

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, hypertensive patients with additional CV risk

Dose: 5 - 40mg daily

Side effects:

common: myalgia, mild transient GI symptoms, headache, dizziness, insomnia,

Counselling:

Seek medical advice if dark urine, or if muscles weak, tender or painful 

Practice Points:

pharmacokinetic profile for people of asian ancestory may need lower doses

studies for outcomes are needed for this statin

Generic: pravastatin

Class: HMG-CoA reducatase inhibitor

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, hypertensive patients with additional risk factors

Dose: 20 - 80mg nocte

Side effects:

common: myalgia, mild transient GI symptoms, dizziness, insomnia, headache

Counselling:

Take at night

Seek medical advice if dark urine, or if muscles are weak, tender or painful 

Practice Points:

monitor transaminase and creatine kinase at baseline

Generic: simvastatin

Class: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

Indication: hypercholesterolaemia, hypertensive patients with additional CV risk factors

Dose: 10 - 80mg

Side effects:

common: myalgia, transient mild GI distress, headache, dizziness, insomnia

Counselling:

Take at night

Seek medical advice if dark urine, or if muscles are sore, painful or tender

Practice Points:

Myopathy is more common at max dose.  Doubling the dose is only likely to reduce LDL by an additional 7%

Generic: atenolol

Class: beta receptor antagonist

Indication: hypertension, angina, arrythmias, MI

Dose: 25 - 100mg daily

Side effects:

common: nausea, diarrhoea, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, cold extremeties, exacerbation of raynauds syndrome, bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, hypotension, heart failure, heart block, fatigue, dizziness, abnormal vision, decreased concentration, hallucinations, insomnia, nightmares, depression, alteration of glucose and lipid levels

Counselling:

This medicine may make you dizzy, especially at the start of treatment.  Do not operate machinary or drive if thus affected.

Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly unless told to do so. 

Generic: bisoprolol

Class: beta receptor antagonists

Indication: hypertension, angina, MI, arrythmias

Dose: 1.25 - 10mg daily

Side effects:

common: nausea, diarrhoea, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, cold extremeties, bradycardia, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, heart failure, heart block, fatigue, dizziness, abnormal vision, decreased concentration, hallucinations, nightmares, insomnia, depression, alteration of blood glucose and lipid levels

Counselling:

This medicine may make you dizzy, particularly at the start.  If thus affected, do not drive, operate machinary. 

Do not stop taking medicine abruptly

Generic: carvedilol

Class: beta receptor blocker

Indication: hypertension, arrythmias, angina, MI

Dose: 12.5 - 50mg once or twice a day

Side effects:

nausea, diarrhoea, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, cold extremities, bradycardia, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, heart failure, heart block, insomnia, nightmares, depression, alteration of blood glucose and lipid levels, fatigue, dizziness, decreased concentration, abnormal vision 

Counselling:

This medicine may make you feel dizzy, especially when first starting.  Do not operate machinary/drive if thus affected.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.

Do not stop taking suddenly unless told to do so

Generic: labetalol

Class: beta receptor antagonist

Indication: hypertension, angina, arrythmia, MI

Dose: 100 - 400mg bd

Side effects:

nausea, diarrhoea, ccold extremities, fatigue, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, heart failure, heart block, fatigue, dizziness, abnormal vision, decreased concentration, hallucinations, insomnia, nightmares, depression, alteration of glucose and lipid levels

Counselling:

This medicine may make you feel dizzy when first starting.  If thus affected, don't drive/operate heavy machinary.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying.

Do not stop taking medicine abruptly

Generic: metoprolol

Class: beta receptor antagonist

Indication: hypertension, angina, arrythmias, MI

Dose:25 - 100mg once or twice daily

Side effects:

nausea, diarrhoea, cold extremities, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, heart failure, heart block, hypotension, bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, altered vision, decreased concentration, depression, nightmares, insomnia, hallucinations, alteration in blood glucose and lipid levels

Counselling:

Controlled release tablets may be broken in half or swallowed whole.

Do not stop taking suddenly unless told to do so.

This medicine may make you feel dizzy, especially when starting.  If thus affected, do not drive/operate heavy machinary.

Generic: oxprenolol

Class: beta receptor antagonist

Indication: hypertension, angina, MI, arrythmias

Dose: 20 - 180mg bd or tds (max 320mg daily)

Side effects:

nausea, diarrhoea, dyspnoea, bronchospasm, heart block, heart failure, orthostatic hypotension, hypotension, bradycardia, abnormal vision, halucinations, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, nightmares, depression, alteration of blood glucose and lipid levels

Counselling:

This medicine may make you feel dizzy.  Do not drive/operate machinary if thus affected.

Do not stop taking suddenly unless instructed to do so

Generic: pindolol

Class: beta receptor antagonist

Indication: hypertension, angina, arrythmia, MI

Dose: 5 - 50mg in 3 divided doses

Side effects:

nausea, diarrhoea, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, orthostatic hypotension, heart failure, heart block, hypotension, bradycardia, abnormal vision, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, hallucinations, nightmares, decreased concentration, alteration of glucose and lipid levels

Counselling:

Do not take this medicine suddenly unless told to.

You may feel dizzy, especially when starting.  Do not drive/operate machinary if thus affected

Generic: propranolol

Class: beta receptor antagonist

Indication: hypertension, arrythmias, MI, angina

Dose: up to 320mg daily in 2 - 3 divided doses

Side effects:

diarrhoea, nausea, bronchospasm, dyspnoea, cold extremities, fatigue, bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension, hypotension, heart failure, heart block, dizziness, altered vision, depression, decreased concentration, insomnia, nightmares, hallucination, altered blood glucose and lipids,

Counselling:

Do not stop taking suddenly unless told to do so.

May make you feel dizzy, especially on starting.  Do not drive/operate machinary if so affected

Generic: captopril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, heart failure, diabetic neuropathy, prevention of progressive renal failure, post MI, asymptomatic left ventricular failure

Dose:

12.5 - 75mg bd

Side effects:

hypotension, cough, hyperkalaemia, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, renal impairment

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless advised to do so.

You may get dizzy when taking this medicine.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying

Generic: perindopril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, post MI, heart failure, prevention of progressive renal failure

Dose: 2.5 - 10mg daily

SIDE EFFECTS

common: hypotension, cough, hyperkalaemia, nausea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, renal impairment

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements while taking this medicine unless advised to do so.

This medicine may cause dizziness.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying down

Generic: enalapril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, post MI, heart failure, diabetic neuropathy, asymptomatic left ventricular failure

Dose: 2.5 - 20mg bd (occassionally single dose)

Side effects:

cough, hypotension, hyperkalaemia, headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, renal impairement

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless advised to do so.

May make you feel dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying down

Generic: fosinopril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, post MI, prevention of progressive renal failure, diabetic neuropathy, heart failure

Dose: 10 - 40mg once daily

Side effects:

cough, hypotension, hyperkalaemia, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, renal impairment

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless told to.

May make you feel dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.

Generic: lisinopril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, heart failure, post MI, diabetic neuropathy, prevention of progressive renal failure

Dose: 5 - 20mg daily.

Side effects:

cough, hypotension, hyperkalaemia, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, renal impairement

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless instructed to.

May make you dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.

Generic: quinapril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, prevention of progressive renal failure, post MI, heart failure, diabetic neuropathy

Dose: 5 - 40mg in 1 or 2 divided doses

Side effects:

Common: hypotension, cough, hyperkalaemia, dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, renal failure

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless advised to do so by dr

May cause dizziness.  Get up slowly from sitting or lying.

Generic: ramipril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, heart failure, prevention of progressive renal failure, diabetic neuropathy, post MI

Dose:

1.25 - 10mg in 1 or 2 divided doses

Side effects

Common: hypotension, cough, hyperkalaemia, nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, renal impairment

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless advised to do so

This medicine may cause dizziness.  Get up slowly from lying/sitting

Generic: trandolapril

Class: ACEI

Indication: hypertension, heart failure, prevention of progressive renal failure, diabetic neuropathy

Dose: 1 - 4mg daily

Side effects

common: cough, hypotension, hyperkalaemia, nausea, headache, fatigue, dizziness, renal impairment

Counselling:

do not take potassium supplements unless advised to do so.

this medicine may make you dizzy.  Get up slowly from lying or sitting.

Do not take potassium

Generic: candesartan

Class: A2RB

Indication: hypertension, heart failure

Dose: 4mg - 32mg

Side effects:

common: dizziness, headache, hyperkalaemia

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless advised to do so.

This medicine may make you feel dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying down. 

Generic: eprosartan

Class: A2RB

Indication: hypertension, heart failure

Dose: 400 - 800mg daily

Side effects:

hyperkalaemia, dizziness, headache

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements while taking this medicine unless advised to do so.

May cause dizziness.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying

Generic: irbesartan

Class: A2RB

Indication: heart failure, hypertension

Dose: 75 - 300mg daily

Side effects:

Common: dizziness, headache, hyperkalaemia

Counselling:

May cause dizziness.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying down

Do not take potassium supplements unless advised to do so.

Generic: losartan

Class: A2RB

Indication: hypertension, heart failure

Dose:25mg - 100mg daily

Side effects: hyperkalaemia, dizziness, headache

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless otherwise advised to do so

May make you feel dizzy.  Stand up slowly from sitting/lying down

Generic: olmesartan

Class: A2RB

Indication: hypertension, heart failure

Dose: 20 - 40mg daily

Side effects:

hyperkalaemia, headache, dizziness

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements unless otherwise advised to do so.

May make you dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying down.

Generic: telmisartan

Class: A2RB

Indication: heart failure, hypertension

Dose: 20 - 80mg daily

Side effects:

hyperkalaemia, dizziness, headache

Counselling:

Do not take potassium supplements

May make you dizzy.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying down if this happens.

Generic: amlodipine

Class: CCB

Indication: hypertension, angina

Dose: 2.5 - 10mg

Side effects:

common: peripheral oedema, rash, headache, fatigue, dizziness, flushing, nausea, abdominal pain, gingival hyperplasia

Practice points:

peripheral oedema does not respond to diuretics. 

Cardizem

Generic: Diltiazem

Class: CCB

Indication: hypertension, angina

Dose: 90 - 240mg as 3 - 4 divided doses, or 180 - 360mg SR daily

Side effects:

peripheral oedema, rash, headache, fatigue, dizziness, flushing, nausea, abdominal pain, gingival hyperplasia, bradycardia 

Counselling:

Generic: felodipine

Class: CCB

Indication: hypertension, angina

Dose: 2.5 - 20mg SR

Side effects:

common: peripheral oedema, rash, headache, fatigue, dizziness, flushing, nausea, abdominal pain, gingival hyperplasia

Counselling:

Swallow tablets whole

Avoid grapefruit juice

Generic: lercanidipine

Class: CCB

Indication: hypertension, angina

Dose: 10 - 20mg daily

Side effects:

peripheral oedema, rash, headache, fatigue, dizziness, flushing, nausea, abdominal pain, gingival hyperplasia

Generic: hydralazine

Class: vasodilator

Indication:

refractory hypertension, hypertensive emergency

Dose:

25 - 200mg daily 

Side effects:

flushing, headache, dizziness, tachycardia, palpitations, oedema (due to salt and water retention) 

Counselling:

This medicine may cause dizziness, especially at the start of treatment.  Do not drive/operate machinary if thus affected

Generic: nifedipine

Class: CCB

Indication: hypertension, angina

Dose:

10 - 40mg bd immediate release

20 - 120mg daily SR

Side effects:

peripheral oedema, rash, flushing, nausea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, abdominal pain, gingival hyperplasia

Counselling:

Swallow tablets whole 

Counselling:

Generic: verapamil

Class: CCB

Indication:

hypertension, angina, AF, SVT 

Dose:

80 - 160mg, 2 - 3 times daily immediate release

120 - 240mg, 1 or 2 times daily 

Side effects:

peripheral oedema, rash, nausea, abdominal pain, flushing, headache, fatigue, dizziness, gingival hyperplasia, bradycardia, constipation 

Counselling:

May increase effects of alcohol.

Swallow whole, do not crush or chew

Loniten

Generic: minoxidil

Class: vasodilator

Indication: severe, refractory hypertension

Dose:

5 - 40mg once or twice daily (max 100mg daily)

Side effects:

oedema (salt and water retention), tachycardia, headache, flushing, dizziness, palpitations, hypertrichosis (as facial hair) 

Generic: clonidine

Class: centrally acting antihypertensive

Indication: hypertension, treatment of menopausal flushing

Dose: 50 - 300mg bd

Side effects:

drowsiness, dry mouth, bradycardia, constipation, headache, fatigue, weakness

Counselling:

This medicine may make you feel drowsy, and increase the effects of alcohol.  If you are affected, do not drive/operate machinary

Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly unless told to do so.

You may feel dizzy when standing, especially when first taking this medicine.  Get up slowly

Generic: methyldopa

Class: centrally acting antihypertensive

Indication: hypertension

Dose: 125 - 500mg bd (sometimes up to qid)

Side effects:

sedation, light-headedness, dizziness, weakness, dry mouth, fever, headache, nausea, diarrhoea

Counselling:

May make you feel dizzy, drowsy or light headed, particularly at the start of treatment.  If affected, don't drive/operate machinary

Physiotens

Generic: moxonidine

Class: centrally acting antihypertensive

Indication: hypertension

Dose:

200 - 400mg once or twice a day, max 600mg daily

Side effects: somnolence, dizziness, weakness, dry mouth, bradycardia, rash

Counselling:

Do not stop taking medicine suddenly unless instructed to do so.

may make you feel drowsy, do not drive/operate machinary if thus affected

may make you feel dizzy, get up slowly from sitting/lying if thus affected

Minipress

Generic: prazosin

Class: selective alpha blocker

Indication: hypertension, symptomatic relief from BPH

Dose: 0.5 - 20mg in 2 or 3 divided doses

Side effects:

orthostatic hypotension, nasal congestion, urinary urgency, dizziness, headache, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness 

Counselling:

May cause dizziness/drowsiness.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying down.  Do not operate machinary/drive if thus affected

Generic: terazosin

Class: selective alpha blocker

Indication: hypertension

Dose:1 - 20mg daily

Side effects:

orthostatic hypotension, nasal congestion, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, headache, drowsiness, urinary urgency 

Counselling:

dizziness/drowsiness may occur.  Do not operate machinary/drive if thus affected.  Get up slowly from sitting/lying down

Generic: disopyramide

Class: antiarrythmic

Indication: refractory life threatening ventricular tachycardia

Dose: 100 - 150mg q6h.  Max 800mg daily

Side effects:

dry mouth, constipation, nausea, vomitting, blurred vision, urinary retention, palpitations, dizziness, dyspnoea

Generic: sotalol

Class: antiarrythmic/beta blocker

Indication: treatment/prevention of arrythmias

Dose: max 640mg daily

Side effects:

palpitations, hypotension, bradycardia, exacerbation of heart failure, dyspnoea, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, headache, taste disturbances, dyspepsia, nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea, impotence, reduced libido, rash 

Counselling:

Do not stop taking abruptly

May cause dizziness, visual disturbances  or drowsiness.  If you are thus affected, do not drive or operate machinary

Generic: amiodarone

Class: antiarrythmic

Indication: treatment/prophylaxis of serious tachyarrythmias

Dose: 100 - 400mg daily

Side effects:

nausea and vomitting, constipation, anorexia, taste disturbances, transient rises in hepatic enzymes, hyper/hypo-thyroidism, fever, photosensitivity, skin pigmentation (blue-grey), benign corneal microdeposits, headache, dizziness, fatigue, neurotoxicity, insomnia, nightmares, bradycardia

Counselling:

Interacts with grapefruit and many drugs.  Check before taking anything

Protect from sun because of photosensitisation.

You will need regular blood tests, ECGs, chest xrays while taking this medicine.

Tell dr if you have any worsening of your symtpoms, shortness of breath or a dry cough, problems with your vision, weight loss or muscle weakness

Lanoxin

Generic: digoxin

Class: antiarrhythmic

Indication: AF, SVT, heart failure

Dose: 125 - 500mcg daily

Dose should be tailored to renal function, clinical response and TDM 

Side effects:

anorexia, nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea, blurred vision, visual disturbances, confusion,drowsiness, dizziness, nightmares, agitation, depression

Counselling:

Check with dr/pharmacist before taking any other medicine as it interacts with a lot of other meds.