Medication Overview

The number of medications your health care provider will recommend for heart failure depends on your ejection fraction. For people with an ejection fraction of 40 per cent or less (a reduced ejection fraction, or HFrEF) taking four types of medications together is called quadruple therapy, or “guideline-directed medical therapy” (GDMT). When you take them together, they can add five to eight years to your life. Once you start these four medications, you could see improvements after a month, but it may take many months before you feel their full benefits. Typically, when starting these medications, you will start with low doses and your health-care provider will gradually increase the dose, usually over three to six months. Additional Resources Assistance with the cost of prescription medication is available to eligible residents of British Columbia through the following programs: - Fair PharmaCare Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents/who-we-cover/fair-pharmacare-plan - First Nations Health Benefits (Plan W): https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/health-drug-coverage/pharmacare-for-bc-residents/who-we-cover/first-nations-health-authority-clients Information about medications for heart failure is available through the following resources: - Speak to a pharmacist through HealthLink BC: Pharmacy services are available overnight from 5 pm to 9 am, 7 days a week. Call 8-1-1 or visit https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/find-care/pharmacy-services-bc - Heart Hub - Heart Failure Medications, A Patient & Caregiver Guide: https://ourhearthub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/patient_s_guide_final-compressed__1_.pdf - Heart and Stroke – Medications A to Z: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/treatments/medications Chapters: 1:00 Guideline-directed medical therapy 2:16 Medication types 4:13 Important medication tips 5:03 Sick days, drug interactions and herbal supplements 6:23 Medication affordability 6:59 Regular immunization 7:17 Navneet's experience with heart failure medications