Antianginal agents

Antianginal agents is a term used to describe a wide variety of medicines that are used in the management of angina. Angina is a heart condition characterized by a narrowing of the coronary arteries (the arteries of the heart). Chest pain is its main symptom.

Examples of antianginal agents include:

• Nitrates (eg, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, nitroglycerin). These relax smooth muscle within the blood vessels, widening them and making it easier for blood and oxygen to reach the heart
• Calcium antagonists (eg, diltiazem, nifedipine, nimodipine, verapamil). These inhibit calcium transfer into cells thereby inhibiting contraction of vascular smooth muscle
• Beta blockers (eg, atenolol, pindolol, propranolol, metoprolol). These slow the heart, reducing how hard it has to work
• Ranolazine. The exact way it exerts its antianginal effect is not known but may be through inhibition of ion channels during cardiac repolarization.