Heart failure medicine: ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker)

ARB (angiotensin receptor blocker) is a medicine that relaxes your blood vessels and allows your heart to pump easier (similar to ACE inhibitors). You would be prescribed an ARB if you cannot tolerate an ACE inhibitor.

Side effects

When you start taking an angiotensin receptor blocker, you may have an increased chance of retaining potassium.

Signs of high potassium are:

confusion
irregular heartbeat
nervousness
numbness or tingling in your hands, feet or lips
weakness or a heavy feeling in your legs
Side effects that go away after use include:

headache
diarrhea
fatigue
nasal congestion
cough
back pain

When to call your health care provider

If you have any of the signs of high potassium (listed above), call your health care provider.

Also, call your health care provider if you have any of the following while taking an ARB:

dizziness and/or lightheadedness
fever
sore throat
hoarseness