ANTIARRHYTHMIC AGENTS |
| CHEMICAL NAME | BRAND NAME(S) |
| ADENOSINE | ADENOCARD (intravenous use only) |
| AMIODARONE | CORDARONE, PACERONE |
| AZIMILIDE | |
| BRETYLIUM | BRETYLIUM (intravenous use only) |
| DIISOPYRAMIDE | NORPACE |
| DOFETILIDE | TIKOSYN |
| FLECAINIDE | TAMBOCOR |
| IBUTILIDE | CORVERT (intravenous use only) |
| LIDOCAINE | XYLOCAINE (intravenous use only) |
| MEXILITINE | MEXITIL |
| MORICIZINE | ETHMOZINE |
| PROCAINAMIDE | PROCAN, PROCANBID, PRONESTYL |
| PROPAFENONE | RYTHMOL |
| QUINIDINE | CARDIOQUIN, QUINAGLUTE, QUINIDEX |
| SOTOLOL | BETAPACE |
| TOCAININDE | TONOCARD |
Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and digoxin are usually the first line treatment for many abnormally fast heart rhythms. These medications are usually quite well tolerated by most patients.
The medicines listed in the table above are usually reserved for some life threatening fast heart rhythms or those that do not respond to beta blockers, calcium blockers or digoxin. The trouble with the medicines listed on this page is that they may have serious and/or frequent side effects and the abnormal heart rhythm may reoccur despite the medication.
Other alternatives for treating fast heart rhythms include radiofrequency ablation and the cardioverter/defibrillator.
There are no medications to treat abnormally slow heart rhythms. These require the placement of a pacemaker. Some of the medicines listed on this page may cause a slow heart rate as a side effect. If the medicine is really needed to treat episodes of fast heart rhythms and cannot be discontinued, a pacemaker may need to be implanted so that the medication can be safely continued.
There are many different types of abnormally fast heart rhythms and each is treated differently. It is very helpful for the doctor to see an ECG or a monitor recording done during the abnormal heart rhythm so that the correct treatment is prescribed.
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