Multaq lowers the chance of going to the hospital whenever one is suffering from serious heart rhythms problems. It is often used for patients with a history of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillations.
Multaq belongs to drugs referred to as antiarrhythmic. It specifically works on the tissue of the heart and will also slow down the nerve impulse of the heart. It also helps keep the heart rhythm normal. This medicine is available with doctor’s prescription only.
Before using Multaq, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Whenever one wants to use any medicine, the need to weigh the risk of taking the medicine against the benefit of using the medicine.
This will require collective decision-making process by you and your medical doctor. Always report to your medical doctor any form of allergies against food, drugs, preservatives, dyes, animals or animal products. In the case of non-prescription products, understand the labels with ingredients very carefully.
There are no studies on the pediatrics that explain the relationship between age and effects of Dronedarone in children. Similarly, there are very few studies that have been done on safety and efficacy of this drugs. On the other hand, no studies have been performed to identify the problems that can limit the use of Dronedarone as a drug for elderly patients.
Moreover, use of dronedarone in pregnant women is shown to induce fetal abnormalities. Hence, it must not be used for women that intend to be pregnant or women that are pregnant. This is because the risk for use outweighs the benefits.
The use of the medicine in breastfeeding women have not been evaluated in the few studies that have been done. The risk of use of dronedarone by a pregnant woman for infants has also not been investigated. In all cases, the potential benefits must be weighed against the risks before using this medication while breastfeeding.
The possibility of drug interactions, when used together with other drugs, is suggested. However, even with potential interactions, it may still be used in some cases in combination with other drugs. The doctor may vary the dose and consider all precautions as will be required and found necessary. Always inform your doctor whether you have used or are using any of the medicines listed below.
Use of Multaq with any of the medicines listed below is not allowed. This medicine includes:
It will be the decision of both you and the doctor in changing the medication with other medicines that you take with other medicines that work best. In case they have been prescribed together, the dose of the drugs can be changed and how often the medicines will be taken will be considered.
Other drugs may cause an increased risk of side effects when used together with Dronedarone. These drugs include:
However, using this drugs together with dronedarone may be best drug combination for the treatment of the disease when prescribed together. When prescribed together, the dose may change or how often the drugs may be used or when both medicines are used. There may be other drug interactions when used around the time of eating food or eating certain foods.
In addition, drugs may not be used together with alcohol or tobacco so as to prevent interaction between drugs. Grape juice may affect the use of this medicine and hence should be avoided. In the case of any medical problems, inform your medical doctor such as abnormal heart or history of heart problems.
Similarly, liver or kidney diseases may affect the clearance of the drug from the body providing the sustained effect of the medicine and hence increasing the side effects. Also, let your doctor know when suffering from hypokalemia, hypomagnesium or lung diseases. Always use the medicine with caution since they may make the condition worse.
3 Proper Usage
To use Multaq properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Never use more or less drug that instructed or prescribed by the medical doctor since this will increase the chance of increasing the side effects. The use of the medicines also requires that the medication guide is used. The information requires that it is read and understood.
Always consult your medical doctor about anything that is not clear to comprehend. This medicine, however, needs that it is taken with food. The dose of this drug will be different in many of the patients since they present different symptoms and strength of the disease. Always follow the instructions provided by the medical doctor.
Never change the doses of the medicine unless instructed by the medical doctor. The amount of the medicine prescribed also varies and relies on the strength of the medicine being given, the length of time to take the medicine, and the medical problems for which the medicine will be used for management.
The dosage administered orally for adults is 400 milligrams (mg) administered twice per day and taken as a single tablet in the morning and evening.
As for the children, the dose to be administered is determined by your doctor. If any of the doses is skipped, it is recommended that you go back to the regular dosing schedule. Never double the dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature and away from excessive heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. Keep the drug from freezing and out of reach of children. Dispose of the medicine appropriately in consultation with your medical doctor.
4 Precautions to Take
Before using Multaq, there are some precautions you must take. A regular medical check-up is essential for confirming the progress of the patient at regular visits. It also allows the doctor to ensure that the medicine is working out properly.
Blood and urine tests may be done to assess for unwanted effects of the medicine. This medicine may not be used when you are pregnant since it may affect your unborn baby. It is recommended that one can use an effective form of birth control so as to prevent getting pregnant.
Inform your doctor when you realize that you have become pregnant while using the medicine. Also, when using this medicine with other drugs such as:
Use of this medicine may lead to serious side effects. It is recommended to check with your medical doctor immediately when you develop chest pains, shortness of breath, swelling of your hands, ankles, or feet, or weight gain.
This may be an indication of heart failure. This may occur following the effect of the medicine on the change of the heart rhythm; a condition referred to as QT prolongation.
Some people may experience fainting or other serious side effects in some patients. Contact your doctor immediately when you have symptoms of heart problems such as fast pounding, irregular heartbeats.
In the case of upper stomach pain, pale stool, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or yellow eyes or skin. These may be an indication of serious liver problems.
Whenever symptoms of shortness of breath, chest tightness or any type of breathing problems while on the dosage of Dronedarone; check with your doctor immediately. Dronedarone increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious side effects.
Inform your doctor on whether one needs to continue with the dose of dronedarone for the management of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation. Do not stop using the medicine without first checking with your doctors.
Do not use grapefruits so as to increase the side effects from Dronedarone which increases the amount of medicine in the body. Never introduce other medicines unless discussed by your doctor. The medicines include both prescriptions or non-prescriptions medicines and herbal remedies and supplements such as vitamins.
Side effects may occur when using Multaq. When they occur, one requires medical attentions and one needs to see the doctor immediately when the side effects occur.
General feeling of discomfort or illness loss of appetite nausea or vomiting
Thickening of bronchial secretions
Yellow eyes or skin
Some of the side effects may not medical attention. The side effects may go away in the time of treatment so as the body adjust with the medicine.
A medical doctor will also be able to inform you of better ways through which the symptoms may be reduced so as to reduce some of the effects. In the event that the side effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor about them.
Other side effects may occur and are not listed in this list. When they occur, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for proper advice about the side effects. You can also report the side effects to FDA directly at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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