In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, granted acceptance for Multaq to be used in atrial fibrillation cases. The drug’s generic formula, known as Dronedarone, has now been dropped from studies due to disturbing findings, according to PubMed Health.
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AF, is the rapid or irregular heartbeat in the atria, or upper chambers of the heart. It will cause poor blood flow and will beat out of sync. with the lower chambers, or ventricles. It has symptoms of weakness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations. This can be acute or chronic, and typically is not life threatening. Treatments are medications and other altering of the heart’s electrical system.
How Multaq Works
The drug Multaq works by preventing future episodes of AF. It maintains normal heart rhythm. It was approved for the risk reduction of hospitalization for the condition.
Multaq Side Effects and issues
Multaq can cause nausea, dizziness, and fatigue as a general list of side effects. There are times they can cause ventricular arrhythmia. The drug may be prescribed without prior knowledge of the length of time the patient will need the drug. Taking Multaq will not keep the patient from ever having symptoms of the condition again. There is a high chance of atrial fibrillation even while on maintenance medications.
Multaq Warning
While researching Multaq for use in AF, the data monitoring community found “two-fold increase in death, as well as two-fold increases in stroke and hospitalization for heart failure in patients receiving dronedarone compared to patients taking a placebo.” This is a preliminary test result, but one that had the study stopped early. There will be an FDA update as soon as there is more information.
Alternatives to Multaq
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are other anti-arrhythmic medications that can be used as an alternate to Multaq. These include Rythmol, Cordarone or Pacerone, Betapace, Tikosyn, and Tambocor. The generic forms of these drugs are Propafenone, Amiodarone, Sotalol, Dofetilide, and Flecainide, respectfully.
Recommendation
Patients that are on Multaq are encouraged to talk to their doctor before they stop the medication. A different drug may be prescribed in its place if the study results disturb you. Patients should have total faith in their medications. The FDA recommendation currently is not to prescribe the drug for permanent atrial fibrillation.
Multaq has not been pulled from the market and further testing could determine that the study results were inaccurate. However, there is the potential there due to these clinical testing finds that may show Multaq does more harm than good for the typical cardiovascular patient.
Source:
PubMed Health http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000511/
Mayo Clinic http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/atrial-fibrillation/DS00291
Tina Samuels - Tina Samuels specializes in health, animal, and gardening articles. She authored "A Georgia Native Plant Guide".
