Medicines Used for Angina
Angina is chest pain or tightness that happens when the heart muscle does not get enough blood. It is usually caused by narrowed heart arteries and often comes on with effort or stress and eases with rest. It needs a doctor's assessment. Chest pain that does not settle is an emergency.
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
Medicines used for Angina
These active ingredients are in medicines whose approved uses include Angina. Brands are listed A to Z, not ranked. A doctor or pharmacist decides which medicine is right for you.
Isosorbide dinitrate
- Sorbitrate 10 · 10 mg tablet
Ivabradine
- Ivabrad 5 · 5 mg tablet
Nitroglycerin
- Angispan-TR 2.6 · 2.6 mg sustained-release capsule
Ranolazine
- Ranozex 500 · 500 mg extended-release tablet
Common questions
What does angina feel like?
Often a squeezing, heavy or tight pressure in the chest, sometimes spreading to the arm, neck, jaw or back, with breathlessness or sweating. It usually lasts a few minutes and eases with rest. Any new chest pain needs a doctor's assessment.
When is chest pain an emergency?
If chest pain is severe, does not settle with rest or the medicine prescribed for it, or comes with sweating, sickness, breathlessness or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, it could be a heart attack. Call 112 or go to hospital at once; do not drive yourself.
What medicines are used for angina?
A doctor may prescribe a fast-acting nitrate for attacks, and other medicines such as beta blockers, long-acting nitrates, ivabradine or ranolazine to prevent attacks. Take them as prescribed and do not stop them without your doctor's advice.
Sources
- Angina. NHS (UK)
- Isosorbide dinitrate tablets: prescribing information. DailyMed, US National Library of Medicine
- Ranexa (ranolazine): EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency
- Procoralan (ivabradine): EPAR medicine overview. European Medicines Agency