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.
Ranolazine is used alone or with other medications to treat chronic angina (ongoing chest pain or pressure that is felt when the heart does not get enough oxygen). Ranolazine is in a class of medications called anti-anginals. The exact way that ranolazine works is not known at this time.
