Q. Which medication is administered to control the irregularities of the heartbeat?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
There are several medications that can be administered to control irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias. Arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals from the upper or lower chambers of your heart become uncoordinated. The most common type of arrhythmia is atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is characterized by an irregular heartbeat.
The first line of treatment for AFib is usually a class called antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs). One popular AAD in this class is flecainide, which works by blocking certain sodium channels in the heart and restoring a normal rhythm. This medication can reduce the frequency and duration of episodes but carries risks such as a decrease in blood pressure, unconsciousness, and death if not taken properly or monitored closely by your doctor. Other AADs available include amiodarone, dofetilide, propafenone, quinidine sulfate/quinidine gluconate, sotalol hydrochloride/betapace af/betapace/, ibutilide sulfate/corvert/, disopyramide phosphate/norpace cr/, dronedarone hydrochloride/multaq/, mexiletine hydrochloride (mexitil), lidocaine injection (cardiac shock therapy) among others.
In addition to medications there are other treatments options ranging from lifestyle modifications such as diet changes and exercise to catheter ablation and implantable devices like pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators which use shocks or pacing pulses to restore normal sinus rhythm. As with any medical condition it’s important you discuss all treatment options with your healthcare provider so they can help you determine what's best for you based on your individual needs and health history before making any decisions about potential therapies.