. 2007 May;93(5):626–631. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2006.098814

Table 2 Overview of the drugs used for the pharmacological management of end stage heart failure¹,²,³,⁴,⁵.

Drug class	Mode of action	Selected drugs	Concentrations	Selected side effects
ACE inhibitors	Blockade of theangiotensin‐convertingenzyme	Ramipril	1.25–10 mg/day	Cough, hyperkalaemia, renal insufficiency, angioedema
		Enalapril	2.5–20 mg/day
		Trandolapril	1–4 mg/day
ARBs	Blockade of theangiotensin II type Ireceptor	Losartan	12.5–100 mg/day	Similar to ACE inhibitors
		Candesartan	4–32 mg/day
		Valsartan	80–320 mg/day
β‐blockers	Blockade of the β1‐adrenergic receptor	Metoprolol succinate	12.5–200 mg/day	Bradycardia, hypotension
		Bisoprolol	1.25–10 mg/day
		Carvedilol	3.125–50 mg/day
Aldosterone antagonists	Blockade of the aldosterone receptor	Spironolactone	12.5–50 mg/day	Hyperkalaemia, gynaecomastia (spironolactone)
Aldosterone antagonists	Blockade of the aldosterone receptor	Eplerenone	25–50 mg/day	Hyperkalaemia, gynaecomastia (spironolactone)
Thiazides	Blockade of the Na⁺/Cl⁻ co‐transporter	Hydrochlorothiazide	12.5–75 mg/day	Electrolyte disturbance, glucose intolerance,hyperuricaemia
Thiazides	Blockade of the Na⁺/Cl⁻ co‐transporter	Xipamide	10–80 mg/day	Electrolyte disturbance, glucose intolerance,hyperuricaemia
Loop diuretics	Blockade of the Na⁺/2Cl⁻/K⁺ co‐transporter	Furosemide	20–500 mg/day	Similar to thiazides,ototoxicity
Loop diuretics	Blockade of the Na⁺/2Cl⁻/K⁺ co‐transporter	Torasemide	5–200 mg/day	Similar to thiazides,ototoxicity
Digitalis	Blockade of theNa⁺/K⁺ ATPase	Digoxin	0.0625–0.25 mg/day	Brady‐ and tachyarrhythmias
Digitalis	Blockade of theNa⁺/K⁺ ATPase	Digitoxin	0.05–0.1 mg/day	Brady‐ and tachyarrhythmias

Table 2 Overview of the drugs used for the pharmacological management of end stage heart failure1,2,3,4,5.

Table 2 Overview of the drugs used for the pharmacological management of end stage heart failure¹,²,³,⁴,⁵.