What class of medication is ivabradine?

Ivabradine is classified as a heart rate lowering agent. It works by selectively inhibiting the If (funny) current in the sinoatrial node of the heart, which results in a decrease in heart rate without directly affecting myocardial contractility or blood pressure. This mechanism makes ivabradine particularly useful in managing conditions like chronic stable angina and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, where controlling heart rate is a critical aspect of treatment.

In contrast, other classes of medications listed, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and aldosterone antagonists, have different mechanisms of action and primary indications. Beta-blockers reduce heart rate and contractility but do so by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which is different from ivabradine's mechanism. Calcium channel blockers primarily function by blocking calcium entry into cells, affecting muscle contraction and vascular tone, while aldosterone antagonists target hormone activity related to fluid retention and blood pressure regulation. Thus, ivabradine's unique action makes it specifically categorized as a heart rate lowering agent.