Antiarrhythmic agents are a diverse group of medicines that are used in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rates or rhythms). Cardiac arrhythmias occur when there is a disturbance in the electrical conductivity of the heart. Causes are numerous and may include coronary artery disease, heart attacks, electrolyte disturbances, or infection. There are many different types of arrhythmia including atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.
The Vaughan-Williams classification is a historic classification that groups antiarrhythmics into five main classes. However, there are several limitations with this system and some newer antiarrhythmics can be classified into more than one class. This is the reason some sources may classify some antiarrhythmic agents differently to other sources.
Data Source:drugs.com
Amiodarone is used to treat and prevent certain types of serious, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm when other medications did not help or could not be tolerated. Amiodarone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by relaxing overactive heart muscles.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Disopyramide is used to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats). Disopyramide is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmic medications. It works by making your heart more resistant to abnormal activity.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Dofetilide is used to treat an irregular heartbeat (including atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter). It is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It improves your heart rhythm by relaxing an overactive heart.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Flecainide is used to prevent certain types of life-threatening irregular heartbeats. Flecainide is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by slowing electrical signals in the heart to stabilize the heart rhythm.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Prescription lidocaine transdermal (Dermalid, Lidoderm, Ztildo) is used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN; burning, stabbing pains, or aches that may last for months or years after a shingles infection). Nonprescription (over-the-counter) lidocaine (Absorbine Jr, Aspercreme, Lidocare, Salonpas, others) is also available to relieve minor pain in shoulders, arms, neck and legs in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Lidocaine is in a class of medications called local anesthetics. It works by stopping nerves from sending pain signals.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Prescription lidocaine transdermal (Dermalid, Lidoderm, Ztildo) is used to relieve the pain of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN; burning, stabbing pains, or aches that may last for months or years after a shingles infection). Nonprescription (over-the-counter) lidocaine (Absorbine Jr, Aspercreme, Lidocare, Salonpas, others) is also available to relieve minor pain in shoulders, arms, neck and legs in adults and children 12 years of age and older. Lidocaine is in a class of medications called local anesthetics. It works by stopping nerves from sending pain signals.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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Mexiletine is used to treat certain types of ventricular arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms). Mexiletine is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by blocking certain electrical signals in the heart to stabilize the heart rhythm.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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Propafenone is used to treat arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and to maintain a normal heart rate. Propafenone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by acting on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Propafenone is used to treat arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and to maintain a normal heart rate. Propafenone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by acting on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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Sotalol is used to treat irregular heartbeats. Sotalol is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by acting on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Sotalol is used to treat irregular heartbeats. Sotalol is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by acting on the heart muscle to improve the heart's rhythm.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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