Multaq® for Atrial Fibrillation
Millions of people suffer atrial fibrillation (AF), a common heart arrhythmia that causes an abnormal heart rhythm. It is caused by hypertension, heart disease, lung disease, excessive consumption of alcohol or a family history of the problem.
Atrial fibrillation is treated through medication to control the heart's rhythm and prevent further complications, such as fatal heart failure. Dronedarone is an antiarrhythmic medication that is used to control and regulate heartbeat and reduce the risk of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation or other cardiac arrhythmia. Dronedarone is sold under the brand name Multaq®.
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
Patients who have atrial fibrillation might experience the following symptoms:
- Racing heartbeat, also known as palpitations
- Lowered blood pressure
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain in the chest
Multaq® and Fatal Irregular Heartbeats
An irregular heart beat can be fatal and lead to heart failure and stroke. Multaq®, which is known generically as dronedarone, is a heart medication often prescribed to patients with atrial fibrillation. Dronedarone is derived from benzofuran, which is related to amiodarone.
Amiodarone has been associated with liver and thyroid disease due to its high iodine content. Though amiodarone is seen as having a better efficacy than dronedarone, the latter isn't associated with the toxic effects of the former. However, it is associated with fatal heart failure.
Multaq® and Fatal Heart Failure
Patients with NYHA Class IV heart failure as well as those with NYHA Class II-III heart failure run a high risk of death from heart failure if they take Multaq®. Studies have shown that patients with severe heart failure who had taken dronedarone had a two-fold increase in mortality. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put a boxed warning on the package label to warn heart failure patients of the risk.
For more information, or if you believe you've been harmed by Multaq®, contact a Multaq® injury lawyer today. You may be able to get compensation for your injuries.
