ACE inhibitors

Examples:

• Benazepril
• Fosinopril
• Lisinopril

These medicines lower blood pressure, treat heart failure, and help prevent heart attacks and strokes.

They may affect how well your kidneys are working and the level of potassium in your body.

• Potassium (K) in blood
• Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen

At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

Examples:

• Losartan
• Olmesartan
• Valsartan

These medicines lower blood pressure and help treat heart failure.

They may affect how well your kidneys are working and the level of potassium in your body.

• Potassium (K) in blood
• Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen

At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests

Anticonvulsants

Examples:

• Carbamazepine
• Phenytoin
• Valproic acid

These medicines help prevent or control seizures and help treat chronic pain.

It may take time and careful, controlled adjustments to find the right combination, schedule, and dose for you.

• Blood test to check the drug level in your blood

At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests

Digoxin

It helps control heart rate and helps make your heart beat stronger.

When you start taking this medicine, you may need to have frequent blood tests to monitor the level of the medicine in your body.

If your kidneys aren't working properly, the medicine can build up to a dangerous level. Also, the medicine may affect the level of potassium in your body.

• Blood test to check the drug level in your blood
• Potassium (K) in blood
• Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen

At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests

Diuretics

Examples:

• Chlorthalidone
• Furosemide
• Hydrochlorothiazide

These medicines reduce the fluid in the body and lower blood pressure.

They may affect how well your kidneys are working and the level of potassium in your body.

• Potassium (K) in blood
• Creatinine or blood urea nitrogen

At least once a year or as often as your doctor suggests

Statins

Examples:

• Atorvastatin
• Lovastatin
• Simvastatin

These medicines lower cholesterol levels.

They can affect how well your liver is working.

You may have other tests to see if the medicine is lowering your cholesterol.

• Liver function panel

When you first start taking a statin, when your dose is changed, or as often as your doctor suggests