Some Drugs Used to Treat Arrhythmias
Some Drugs Used to Treat Arrhythmias
Examples | Some Side Effects | Comments |
|---|---|---|
Beta-blockers | ||
Acebutolol Atenolol Betaxolol Bisoprolol Carvedilol Esmolol Metoprolol Nadolol Propranolol Timolol | An abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia) Fatigue Depression Possible masking of low blood sugar levels Impaired circulation in the trunk, arms, and legs Insomnia Raynaud syndrome Raynaud Syndrome Raynaud syndrome, a functional peripheral arterial disease, is a condition in which small arteries (arterioles), usually in the fingers or toes, narrow (constrict) more tightly than normal in... read more Sexual dysfunction Shortness of breath Spasm of the airways (bronchospasm) With some beta-blockers, an increase in the triglyceride (a fat) level In people with glaucoma, increased pressure in the eye | These drugs are used to treat ventricular premature beats Ventricular Premature Beats A ventricular premature beat is an extra heartbeat resulting from abnormal electrical activation originating in the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) before a normal heartbeat would... read more , ventricular tachycardia Ventricular Tachycardia Ventricular tachycardia is a heart rhythm that originates in the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) and produces a heart rate of at least 120 beats per minute (the normal heart rate is... read more People who have asthma should ask their doctor before taking these drugs. |
Calcium channel blockers | ||
Diltiazem Verapamil | Constipation Diarrhea Low blood pressure Swollen feet | Only certain calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem and verapamil, are useful for arrhythmias. They are used to slow the ventricular rate in people who have atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and to treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Diltiazem and verapamil slow the conduction of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular node. Certain people with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is a disorder in which an extra electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles is present at birth. People may have episodes of a very rapid heartbeat... read more should not take verapamil or diltiazem. |
Digoxin | ||
Digoxin | Nausea Vomiting Serious arrhythmias If the dose is too high, distortion of color vision, making objects appear greenish yellow | Digoxin slows conduction of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular node. Digoxin is used to decrease the ventricular rate in people who have atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and to treat paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. |
Potassium channel blockers | ||
Amiodarone Azimilide Bretylium Dofetilide Dronedarone Ibutilide Sotalol Vernakalant | For all potassium channel blockers: Arrhythmias and low blood pressure For amiodarone: scarring in the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis) and thyroid, liver, and eye abnormalities. For sotalol (also a beta-blocker): the same side effects as beta-blockers | These drugs are used to treat ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. Because amiodarone can be toxic, it is used for long-term treatment only in some people who have serious or very bothersome arrhythmias. Bretylium is used only for short-term treatment of life-threatening ventricular tachycardias. Azimilide and vernakalant are not available in the United States. |
Purine nucleoside | ||
Adenosine | Spasm of the airways Flushing (for a short time) | Adenosine slows conduction of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular node. Adenosine is used to end episodes of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. People who have asthma are not given this drug. |
Sodium channel blockers | ||
Disopyramide Flecainide Lidocaine Mexiletine Procainamide Propafenone Quinidine | Arrhythmias (which can be fatal, particularly in people who have a heart disorder) For some drugs: Digestive upset Dizziness Dry mouth Light-headedness Retention of urine Tremor In people with glaucoma, increased pressure in the eyes | These drugs slow the conduction of electrical impulses through the heart. These drugs are used to treat ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation and to convert atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter to normal rhythm (cardioversion). Except for lidocaine and mexiletine, these drugs may also be used to prevent episodes of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and, less commonly, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. |
