Antiarrhythmic Medicines for Fast Heart Rates
Antiarrhythmic Medicines for Fast Heart Rates
Guide
Antiarrhythmic medicines work in various ways to return the heart to its normal rhythm. These medicines stabilize heart rhythm. One way is by decreasing abnormal firing of the heart's electrical system that causes the heart to beat too fast. Another way is by slowing the electrical conduction through abnormal pathways. Some antiarrhythmics also slow the heart rate by reducing the number of impulses that can pass through the atrioventricular (AV) node (amiodarone, sotalol).
Antiarrhythmic medicines are used to change an abnormal heart rhythm to a regular rhythm and to prevent an abnormal heart rhythm.
Antiarrhythmic medicines can effectively control or prevent abnormal heart rhythms.1 There are many different types of antiarrhythmic medicines. You may need to try different medicines to see which one works best for you.
Some antiarrhythmic medicines raise your risk of having a dangerous arrhythmia such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Your doctor will check you closely while you take these medicines. The risk of side effects might be greater if you have severe heart disease.
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
Heart symptoms such as:
Severe allergy symptoms such as:
Antiarrhythmic medicines can cause less serious side effects that may go away after taking the medicine for a while. Call your doctor if these side effects continue or if they bother you a lot.
Amiodarone
Call your doctor if you have any side effects from amiodarone. Side effects may include:
Disopyramide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
Other side effects of disopyramide may include:
Dofetilide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
Dronedarone
Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of heart failure, such as:
Flecainide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
Procainamide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
Propafenone
Call your doctor right away if you have:
Other side effects of propafenone may include a change in taste, such as metallic taste in your mouth.
Quinidine
Call your doctor right away if you have:
Sotalol
Call your doctor right away if you have:
Other side effects of sotalol may include a slow heart rate.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
Antiarrhythmic medicines might interact with many other medicines that you might take. Tell your doctor all of the medicines that you take. Be sure to include nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and natural supplements.
Grapefruit juice can affect some antiarrhythmic medicines such as sotalol. Ask your doctor if your medicine is affected by grapefruit juice and if you need to make any changes to avoid problems. For more information, see Grapefruit Juice and Medicines.
Amiodarone
If you take amiodarone, your doctor will check you carefully for side effects to make sure you can take the medicine safely. Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects or any concerns about taking amiodarone. Because amiodarone can cause serious side effects, it is typically used for people who have severe symptoms when other medicines have failed.
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn M. Miller, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
Antiarrhythmic Medicines for Fast Heart Rates
Guide
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| amiodarone | Cordarone, Pacerone |
| disopyramide | Norpace |
| dofetilide | Tikosyn |
| dronedarone | Multaq |
| flecainide | Tambocor |
| procainamide | |
| propafenone | Rythmol |
| quinidine | |
| sotalol | Betapace |
How It Works
Antiarrhythmic medicines work in various ways to return the heart to its normal rhythm. These medicines stabilize heart rhythm. One way is by decreasing abnormal firing of the heart's electrical system that causes the heart to beat too fast. Another way is by slowing the electrical conduction through abnormal pathways. Some antiarrhythmics also slow the heart rate by reducing the number of impulses that can pass through the atrioventricular (AV) node (amiodarone, sotalol).
Why It Is Used
Antiarrhythmic medicines are used to change an abnormal heart rhythm to a regular rhythm and to prevent an abnormal heart rhythm.
How Well It Works
Antiarrhythmic medicines can effectively control or prevent abnormal heart rhythms.1 There are many different types of antiarrhythmic medicines. You may need to try different medicines to see which one works best for you.
Side Effects
Some antiarrhythmic medicines raise your risk of having a dangerous arrhythmia such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Your doctor will check you closely while you take these medicines. The risk of side effects might be greater if you have severe heart disease.
All medicines have side effects. But many people don't feel the side effects, or they are able to deal with them. Ask your pharmacist about the side effects of each medicine you take. Side effects are also listed in the information that comes with your medicine.
Here are some important things to think about:
- Usually the benefits of the medicine are more important than any minor side effects.
- Side effects may go away after you take the medicine for a while.
- If side effects still bother you and you wonder if you should keep taking the medicine, call your doctor. He or she may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not suddenly quit taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to.
Call 911 or other emergency services right away if you have:
Heart symptoms such as:
Severe allergy symptoms such as:
- Trouble breathing.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, which may occur with hives.
Antiarrhythmic medicines can cause less serious side effects that may go away after taking the medicine for a while. Call your doctor if these side effects continue or if they bother you a lot.
- Stomach problems, such as diarrhea, pain, or nausea.
- Loss of appetite.
- Feeling weak or tired.
Amiodarone
Call your doctor if you have any side effects from amiodarone. Side effects may include:
- Cough or trouble breathing.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Trembling or shaking.
- Weakness in the arms or legs.
- Blurry vision or other vision changes.
Disopyramide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Change in heartbeat, such as a fast or irregular beat.
- Shortness of breath.
- Unusual tiredness.
Other side effects of disopyramide may include:
- Low blood sugar.
- Blurry vision.
- Dry eyes or mouth.
Dofetilide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Fast or irregular heartbeat.
Dronedarone
Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of heart failure, such as:
- Shortness of breath when you rest or do activities that did not cause problems before.
- Swelling of feet or legs.
- Sudden weight gain, such as 3 lb or more in 2 to 3 days.
Flecainide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Swelling in feet or legs.
- Trembling or shaking.
Procainamide
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Fever and chills.
- Joint pain or swelling.
Propafenone
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Changes in your heartbeat such as fast, slow, or irregular.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Swelling in feet or legs.
Other side effects of propafenone may include a change in taste, such as metallic taste in your mouth.
Quinidine
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Stomach pain.
- Yellow eyes or skin.
- Vision changes.
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Confusion.
Sotalol
Call your doctor right away if you have:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.
- Fast heartbeats.
Other side effects of sotalol may include a slow heart rate.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Antiarrhythmic medicines might interact with many other medicines that you might take. Tell your doctor all of the medicines that you take. Be sure to include nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and natural supplements.
Grapefruit juice can affect some antiarrhythmic medicines such as sotalol. Ask your doctor if your medicine is affected by grapefruit juice and if you need to make any changes to avoid problems. For more information, see Grapefruit Juice and Medicines.
Amiodarone
If you take amiodarone, your doctor will check you carefully for side effects to make sure you can take the medicine safely. Talk to your doctor if you have any side effects or any concerns about taking amiodarone. Because amiodarone can cause serious side effects, it is typically used for people who have severe symptoms when other medicines have failed.
Taking medicine
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. Taking medicine as your doctor suggests will improve your health and may prevent future problems. If you don't take your medicines properly, you may be putting your health (and perhaps your life) at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Advice for women
If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant, do not use any medicines unless your doctor tells you to. Some medicines can harm your baby. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements. And make sure that all your doctors know that you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning to get pregnant.
Checkups
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Citations
ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerRakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
Specialist Medical ReviewerJohn M. Miller, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
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