Antiarrhythmic medications slow down rapid heartbeats and regulate irregular or premature heartbeats. Generally, these drugs work by block- ing chemical reactions that promote electrical conduction. They act to either suppress abnormal electrical impulses or slow down transmission of impulses as they are conducted through heart tissue. As a result, your heart beats more rhythmically and you experience fewer symptoms.
You may be given these medications intravenously during an emergency situation, or they may be prescribed for you to take orally for an inde?nite period. Certain antiarrhythmics, such as amiodarone, cause side effects such as increased sensitivity to sunlight. This drug may also affect your vision, the thyroid, or the lungs. Many people are surprised to learn that an antiarrhythmic drug can in fact cause an arrhythmia or make an existing one more frequent or more severe.
You and your doctor will need to carefully consider the balance of bene?ts and risks of medication. Your doctor will also do thorough test- ing and monitoring, either with Holter monitoring, electrophysiologic studies, or both, to determine what drug works best for you. The electrophysiologic testing indicates how well a medication is controlling your symptoms, exactly how it alters your heart’s rhythm, and how well it protects your heart from an arrhythmia induced during the study.
Apart from these antiarrhythmics, medications such as calcium channel blockers or beta-blockers may be prescribed.
If you have atrial ?brillation, which can make you more susceptible to blood clots, you will probably also take an anticoagulant or an antiplatelet medication . As with all medica- tions, drug interactions with antiarrhythmics are always a concern; be sure to let your doctor know about other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies.