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FAQs A-Fib Drug Therapy: Safety dronedarone vs amiodarone
Safety of dronedarone
“Is the antiarrhythmic drug Multaq [dronedarone] safer than taking amiodarone? How does it compare to other antiarrhythmic drugs?”
Multaq is probably safer than amiodarone, but it isn’t just “amiodarone-lite.”
Higher Death Rates with Dronedarone
Some studies indicate Multaq by Sanofi-Aventis (generic name: dronedarone) has its own set of problems.
In a study of dronedarone in high-risk patients with permanent A-Fib (PALLAS-3,236 patients), patients taking dronedarone were dying at more than twice the rate of those on a placebo. The ratio of stroke and hospitalization for heart failure was also more than twice as high.
Dronedarone Shouldn’t Be Used in Patients in A-Fib
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has recommended that the antiarrhythmic drug dronedarone not be used in patients still in A-Fib, that it should be discontinued if A-Fib reoccurs, that it shouldn’t be used in patients who have previous liver or lung injury following treatment with amiodarone, and that patients using it should have their liver and lung functions regularly monitored.
Who Should be Taking Dronedarone (If Anyone)?
The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the EMA said that dronedarone may be a useful option in patients who are in sinus rhythm after a successful cardioversion. But even in this case, dronedarone should only be prescribed after alternate treatment options have been considered.
About dronedarone, noted A-Fib blogger, Dr. John Mandrola wrote,
“I’m surprised that the drug has persisted. I don’t know any of my colleagues who would start a patient out on Multaq [dronedarone]. It just doesn’t work.”
Editor’s Comments
According to these studies and news reports, no one with any type of A-Fib should be taking dronedarone (Multaq).
This is a major change in treatment options for patients with A-Fib.
Dronedarone may be associated with increased strokes, hospitalizations, heart failure, liver damage, lung damage and death. And it may not be very effective anyway.
No antiarrhythmic drug is 100% safe and effective for all A-Fib patients. But until we get more favorable research on dronedarone, all patients with A-Fib should consider not taking it and try alternative options.
Return to FAQ Drug Therapies
Last updated: Monday, June 18, 2018
