What is Multaq?

Multaq (dronedarone) is a heart rhythm medicine that helps certain people with life-threatening atrial rhythm disorders and helps to maintain normal heartbeats (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart). It reduces the chance of needing to be hospitalized for a heart rhythm disorder known as atrial fibrillation.


Multaq Uses

This is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, both are types of abnormal heart rhythms. In adults, the only recommended dose of multaq (dronedarone tablets) is 400 mg twice daily. It works by preventing abnormal electrical signals from reaching the heart. This helps control your heart's irregular beating and allows it to beat normally. As a result, this medication prevents serious health problems that can sometimes be fatal and lowers your risk of death.

How to use?

Multaq 400 mg tablets should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It should be consumed with food. While taking this medication, your blood pressure and heart rate may need to be monitored on a regular basis. It is critical that you continue to take it until your doctor determines that it is safe to discontinue. If you stop taking this medication, you may experience dangerous irregular heartbeats, which can be fatal.


Side Effects

The most common side effects are:

  • Diarrhea
  • Lack or loss of strength
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Heart failure
  • Increased liver enzymes
  • Rash
  • Fatigue

Less common side effects are:

  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Belching
  • Blistering
  • Crusting
  • Irritation
  • Reddening of the skin
  • Cracked, dry, or scaly skin
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Itching skin
  • Rash
  • Discoloration of the skin
  • Encrusted, scaly, and oozing
  • Hives itching
  • Stomach discomfort
  • Upset, or pain
  • Swelling

Precautions

Before using this information your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine or other medicines. Do not start taking on your own, ask your doctor how and when to take the drug.

It may cause vision blurring. Avoid driving or any activity that requires concentration until you know how it affects you.

It makes your skin more sensitive to sunlight. When going outside, use sunscreen and wear protective clothing.

While you are taking this medication, your doctor may perform routine blood tests, chest x-rays, ECGs, eye tests, thyroid, liver, and lung function tests.

Notify your doctor right away if you experience shortness of breath, swollen ankles or feet, or weight gain.

In patients with kidney disease, it is most likely safe to use. Based on the available data, it may not be necessary to adjust the dose in these patients. Please consult your physician.

In patients with severe liver disease, it should be used with caution. The dosage may need to be adjusted. Please consult your physician.

This medicine is extremely dangerous to use during pregnancy. Seek the advice of your doctor, as studies on pregnant women and animals have revealed significant harm to the developing baby.

This medicine is most likely unsafe to use while breastfeeding. According to limited human data, the drug may pass into breast milk and harm the baby.


Interactions

Drug interactions might change the working mechanism of medications. Before using this ask your doctor about the possible interactions. Inform your doctor if you are using any medications like prescription or over-the-counter medicines.


Missed Dose

If you forget to take one of the dosages, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose and proceed with your daily schedule. To cope up with a missed dose, do not take a double dose.


Overdose

Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions.


Storage

Exposure of medicine to heat, air, and light may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.


Multaq vs Amiodarone

Multaq

Amiodarone

Multaq (dronedarone) is a heart rhythm medicine that helps certain people with life-threatening atrial rhythm disorders maintain normal heartbeats. Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that is used for treating and preventing a variety of irregular heartbeats.
This is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, both of which are types of abnormal heart rhythms. It is used to treat and prevent certain types of severe, potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias.
It works by preventing abnormal electrical signals from reaching the heart. This helps control your heart's irregular beating and allows it to beat normally. Amiodarone primarily works by inhibiting potassium rectifier currents, which are responsible for heart repolarization during phase 3 of the cardiac action potential.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the drug Multaq used for?

This medication is prescribed if you have previously experienced certain types of irregular heartbeat (paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation) but now have a normal heart rhythm. It helps you maintain a normal heart rhythm and reduces your chances of being admitted to the hospital for atrial fibrillation.

What are the side effects of Multaq?

The side effects of Multaq are as follows-

  • Diarrhea
  • Lack or loss of strength
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Weakness

How quickly does Multaq work?

It could take up to a week for it to accumulate in your system. Continue to take it as directed, and consult your doctor if you have any specific questions about medical concerns or side effects. It may take up to a week for it to accumulate in your system.

How effective is Multaq?

The main criterion for efficacy was how long the treatment prevented an atrial fibrillation attack or a change in the patients' heart rate after two weeks. Multaq kept fibrillation at bay for an average of 116 days, compared to 53 days with placebo.

Does multaq lower your blood pressure?

Its modest reduction in blood pressure and more significant decrease in heart rate during atrial fibrillation are two additional potential mechanisms of stroke risk reduction.

Why does Multaq have to be taken with food?

It can raise the level of this medicine in your blood, increasing the likelihood of side effects. It can raise the level of it in your blood, increasing the likelihood of side effects.

Is amiodarone the same as Multaq?

Multaq (or dronedarone) is an amiodarone derivative that does not contain iodine and thus has fewer side effects (such as thyroid and lung toxicity) than amiodarone.


Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.