Multaq

Multaq is a medication often prescribed for the treatment of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (irregular heart rhythms). It comes in tablet form and is usually taken twice a day. Clinical studies have shown that the product is useful for preventing heart-related hospitalizations and can help delay the recurrence of irregular heart rhythms. Potential side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and general weakness.

Multaq Medication Information

What Is Multaq?

Multaq^® (dronedarone) is a prescription medication approved to treat irregular heart rhythms known as atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. It is chemically related to amiodarone (an older arrhythmia medication) but is easier to dose and appears to be less likely to cause certain dangerous side effects, compared to amiodarone.

(Click Multaq Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes Multaq?

This medication is made by Sanofi Winthrop Industries for sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC.

How Does Multaq Work?

It is not yet clear exactly how Multaq works to treat arrhythmias. Most arrhythmia medications are classified using the Vaughn-Williams classification system, which divides arrhythmia medications into four classes depending on how they work. At this point, it seems that Multaq has activity that belongs to all four of the classes.

Effects of Multaq

This medication has been thoroughly studied in various different clinical trials.

In general, these studies showed that Multaq was more effective than a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients) for preventing heart-related hospitalizations. Some studies also showed that this medication could delay the time until the first recurrence of atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.

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