Arrhythmia Drugs

Arrhythmia is a serious condition that can lead to life-threatening complications if not treated properly. Your doctor may recommend taking arrhythmia drugs that can prevent a heart attack or stroke in most people. A list of arrhythmia drugs is stated below with both generic and common brand names (in parenthesis). You should consult your doctor to find out what medication works best for you and your condition. This list simply explains the various types of arrhythmia drugs available for your own knowledge. Arrhythmia drugs are listed according to the Vaughan Williams classification for antiarrhythmic agents, which are based on how the drug works to control arrhythmias. 

Class 1 anti-arrhythmic drugs

Class 1 anti-arrhythmic drugs work by changing the sodium channel in the body. Three types of sodium blockers exist to block sodium channels to different degrees. Type 1a drugs work at an intermediate pace, and can be used for people who suffer from ventricular arrhythmia. These types of drugs include:

Disopyramide (Norpace)
Procainamide (Procan or Procanbid)
Quinidine 

Type 1b drugs work at a fast pace, and are used for people who may suffer from atrial fibrillation, or ventricular tachycardia. These types of drugs include:

Phenytoin (Phenytek or Dilantin)
Mexiletine (Mexitil)
Lidocaine (Xylocaine) 

Type 1c drugs work at a slow pace, and are used for recurrent tachyarrhythmias and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. These types of drugs include:

Moricizine
Flecainide (Tambocor)
Propafenone (Rythmol)

Class II anti-arrhythmic drugs

Class II anti-arrhythmic drugs work by reducing the effect of physical exertion on the heart rate and contraction, also known as beta blockers. These types of drugs help control the sympathetic nervous system to help reduce blood pressure. Beta blockers can help decrease heart rate, and is used to prevent tachyarrhythmias and death from myocardial infarction. These types of drugs include:

Atenolol (Tenormin)
Timolol (Blocadren)
Esmolol (Brevibloc)
Metoprolol (Lopressor or Toprol)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Acebutolol (Sectral)
Pindolol (Visken)
Nadolol (Corgard)
Penbutolol (Levatol)
Betaxolol (Kerlone)
Carteolol (Cartrol)
Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Zebeta or Ziac)

Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs 

Class III anti-arrhythmic drugs work by blocking potassium channels in a similar way class 1 anti-arrhythmic drugs work to block sodium channels. These types of drugs are used to treat Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Sotalol helps treat ventricular tachycardias while Ibutilide helps treat atrial flutter. Both drugs help treat atrial fibrillation. These types of drugs include:

Sotalol (Betapace)
Ibutilide (Corvert)
Amiodarone (Cordarone or Pacerone)
Dofetilide (Tikosyn)

Class IV anti-arrhythmic drugs 

Class IV anti-arrhythmic drugs work by decreasing calcium channels in the body. These types of drugs reduce the force of contraction of the heart thereby slowing heart rate and reducing blood pressure. These types of drugs are used to treat atrial fibrillation and prevent paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. These types of drugs include:

Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan)
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia or Tiazac)
Amlodipine (Norvasc, Lotrel)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Nisoldipine (Sular)
Isradipine (Dynacirc)
Nimodipine (Nimotop)
Nicardipine (Cardene)
Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)

Other arrhythmia drugs include anticoagulants, which helps thin your blood to prevent blood clots. Anticoagulants can help prevent stroke because they prevents blood clots. Anticoagulants, however, cannot dissolve a blood clot that has already formed. It can prevent this blood clot from getting any bigger though. These types of drugs work by stopping the blood from clotting. Anticoagulants include warfin and aspirin. 

Warfin (Coumadin) is used to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation patients. Due to the risk of bleeding, patients taking warfin must be frequently monitored by their doctor. Medicines and some foods can interact with warfin, so be sure to tell your doctor what medications you are taking and the foods you eat while taking warfin. 

Aspirin is a very common, over-the-counter anticoagulant that prevents blood platelets from sticking. This anti-platelet effect can help prevent stroke. Even though aspirin is readily available without a prescription, ask your doctor before you begin taking aspirin everyday to prevent stroke. Aspirin may not be the best arrhythmia drug for all conditions. 

All arrhythmia drugs can help patients who suffer from arrhythmia, but these drugs must be taken under a doctor's orders. As with all drugs, arrhythmia drugs may have some side effects. For the most part, the medication's benefits will outweigh the side effects. Not all patients diagnosed with arrhythmia need medication. Various factors such as age, health, and condition will determine whether medication is needed. Consult your doctor to personalize the health care you need for your arrhythmia. 

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