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Are there any medications I need to avoid if I have heart failure?

If you have heart failure, it is important to avoid NSAID pain relievers. These medications have been shown to increase symptoms of heart failure and can lead to an increased amount of sodium and water in your body. NSAIDs may be obtained over the counter (OTC) or by prescription. Common NSAIDs to avoid include:

  • Diclofenac (Voltaren)
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
  • Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
  • Celecoxib (Celebrex)

If you are in need of an OTC pain reliever, an acetaminophen product, such as Tylenol, is generally recommended.

Other Medications:

If you are currently taking either isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur), it is important to avoid the following medications:

  • Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagara)
  • Tadalafil (Cialis)
  • Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
  • Avanafil (Stendra)
  • Riociguat (Adempas)

These medications in combination with either isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil) or isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur) can cause an unsafe drop in your blood pressure. Therefore, it is recommended that you avoid this combination of medications. Please speak with your provider about alternatives that would be safe for you to take.