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Multaq

How does the heart work?

The heart is a two stage electric pump whose job it is to circulate blood through the body. There is a group of cells that serve as an automatic pacemaker located in the atrium that generates an electrical current that spreads to the heart muscle cells to generate a coordinated squeeze, so that the pump can function.

The heart has four chambers, the right and left atria (singular= atrium) and the right and left ventricles. The right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs while the left side pumps it to the rest of the body.

Blood from the body is collected in the right atrium and is pushed into the right ventricle with a small beat of the upper chamber of the heart. The right ventricle then pumps the blood to the lungs to pick up oxygen. They oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium where the small atrial beat pushes it to the left ventricle. The left ventricle is much thicker than the right because it needs t...

Multaq

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Multaq Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dronedarone (Multaq)?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to dronedarone, or if you have:

  • severe liver disease;
  • certain serious heart conditions, especially severe heart failure, "AV block" or sick sinus syndrome (unless you have a pacemaker);
  • a history of slow heart beats that have caused you to faint;
  • if you were hospitalized with severe heart failure within the past 30 days; or
  • if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

There are many other medicines that can cause serious medical problems if you take them together with dronedarone. You may need to stop taking certain drugs while you are taking dronedarone. Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

  • heart rhythm medication;
  • an antibiotic or antifungal medication;
  • an antidepressant;
  • medicine to treat HIV or AIDS;
  • medicine to treat or prevent malaria;
  • medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;
  • migraine headache medication;
  • narcotic pain medicine;
  • medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting; or
  • medicine used to prevent organ transplant rejection.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take dronedarone:

  • liver disease;
  • a history of heart failure;
  • an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood); or
  • if you have a pacemaker or defibrillator implanted in your chest.

FDA pregnancy category X. This medication can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects. Do not use dronedarone if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Use effective birth control while you are using this medication.

It is not known whether dronedarone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take dronedarone (Multaq)?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take this medicine with a full glass of water.

Dronedarone works best if you take it with your morning and evening meals.

It is important to use dronedarone regularly to get the most benefit. Keep using this medication even if you feel fine or have no symptoms. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and heart rhythm will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store dronedarone at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

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