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Medications for Heart Failure (Congestive Heart Failure)

Other names: CHF

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 16, 2024.

Treatments for heart failure include angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers, diuretics, aldosterone antagonists, angiotensin-receptor blockers and neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), digoxin, and recommended vaccines.

Depending on individual health needs, additional medications may be prescribed. Anticoagulants, like warfarin, help prevent blood clots. Statins, such as atorvastatin, manage cholesterol levels. Vasodilators, like hydralazine, relax blood vessels, reducing the heart's workload.

Drugs used to treat Heart Failure

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
furosemide 7.9 15 reviews for furosemide to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
furosemide systemic
Brand names:
Lasix, Furoscix
Drug class:
loop diuretics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
carvedilol 7.0 50 reviews for carvedilol to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
carvedilol systemic
Brand names:
Coreg, Coreg CR
Drug class:
non-cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Lasix 9.7 3 reviews for Lasix to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
furosemide systemic
Drug class:
loop diuretics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
spironolactone 4.4 12 reviews for spironolactone to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
spironolactone systemic
Brand names:
Aldactone, CaroSpir
Drug class:
potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
lisinopril 5.6 7 reviews for lisinopril to treat Heart Failure
Rx D N X
Generic name:
lisinopril systemic
Brand names:
Prinivil, Zestril, Qbrelis
Drug class:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
metoprolol 5.0 13 reviews for metoprolol to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
metoprolol systemic
Brand names:
Toprol-XL, Kapspargo Sprinkle
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Coreg 8.6 20 reviews for Coreg to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
carvedilol systemic
Drug class:
non-cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Entresto 5.0 193 reviews for Entresto to treat Heart Failure
Rx N X
Generic name:
sacubitril / valsartan systemic
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers and neprilysin inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
digoxin 5.8 4 reviews for digoxin to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N
Generic name:
digoxin systemic
Brand names:
Lanoxin, Digox, Digitek
Drug class:
inotropic agents, group V antiarrhythmics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
isosorbide mononitrate 6.7 11 reviews for isosorbide mononitrate to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
isosorbide mononitrate systemic
Drug class:
antianginal agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Aldactone 4.3 3 reviews for Aldactone to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
spironolactone systemic
Drug class:
potassium-sparing diuretics, aldosterone receptor antagonists
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
warfarin 7.0 2 reviews for warfarin to treat Heart Failure
Rx D N X
Generic name:
warfarin systemic
Brand names:
Coumadin, Jantoven
Drug class:
coumarins and indandiones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Toprol-XL 8.0 1 review for Toprol-XL to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
metoprolol systemic
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Cardizem Rate Add review
Rx C N X
Generic name:
diltiazem systemic
Drug class:
calcium channel blocking agents, group IV antiarrhythmics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Coumadin Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
warfarin systemic
Drug class:
coumarins and indandiones
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
hydralazine 0.0 2 reviews for hydralazine to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
hydralazine systemic
Brand name:
Apresoline
Drug class:
vasodilators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
bisoprolol 4.8 10 reviews for bisoprolol to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
bisoprolol systemic
Drug class:
cardioselective beta blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
nitroglycerin 10 1 review for nitroglycerin to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
nitroglycerin systemic
Brand names:
Nitrostat, Minitran, Nitro-Bid, Nitro-Dur, Nitro-Time, Nitrolingual Pumpspray, NitroMist, Nitro TD Patch-A
Drug class:
antianginal agents, vasodilators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
torsemide 2.0 1 review for torsemide to treat Heart Failure
Rx B N X
Generic name:
torsemide systemic
Brand names:
Demadex, Soaanz
Drug class:
loop diuretics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Altace 5.0 2 reviews for Altace to treat Heart Failure
Rx D N X
Generic name:
ramipril systemic
Drug class:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Lanoxin Rate Add review
Rx C N
Generic name:
digoxin systemic
Drug class:
inotropic agents, group V antiarrhythmics
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Diovan Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
valsartan systemic
Drug class:
angiotensin receptor blockers
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Nitrostat 10 1 review for Nitrostat to treat Heart Failure
Rx C N X
Generic name:
nitroglycerin systemic
Drug class:
antianginal agents, vasodilators
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Prinivil Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
lisinopril systemic
Drug class:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Zestril Rate Add review
Rx D N X
Generic name:
lisinopril systemic
Drug class:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Heart Failure

Learn more about Heart Failure

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.