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Dronedarone
Dronedarone is a prescription drug licensed for the treatment of certain irregular heart rhythms. Specifically, it is used to prevent heart-related hospitalizations in people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. The product comes in tablet form and is typically taken twice a day. While most people tolerate this medication well, potential side effects include vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Dronedarone (Multaq®) 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 What Is Dronedarone Used For? for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
As with any medicine, dronedarone may cause side effects. As with other arrhythmia medications, some dronedarone side effects can be life-threatening. However, it is expected that this drug may be less likely to cause some serious side effects, compared to similar arrhythmia medications.
Some of the most common side effects include, but are not limited to:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain)
- Vomiting
- General weakness.
(Click Side Effects of Dronedarone to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD