Multaq is a prescription medication that helps to control abnormal heart rate and rhythm called as atrial fibrillation and can lower the risk for having to go into hospital for heart problems. You should take Multaq exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The usual dose of this medication is 1 tablet (400 mg) twice a day with meals. Take the first dose of Multaq with your morning meal and the second dose with your evening meal. Keep taking the medication even if you feel better. If you stop taking it, your condition may get worse. Keep taking until your doctor tells you to stop. Make sure to observe all appointments with your doctor for check-ups. While you are taking Multaq, your doctor may perform heart examination tests such as an ECG or/and may take blood tests to assess your medical condition and how you tolerate the treatment.
Manufacturer Information
Multaq is available from Canada manufactured by Sanofi Aventis. The active ingredient in Multaq is Dronedarone. It is available as film-coated tablets in the dosage form of 400 mg.
Stop taking Multaq and call your doctor at once if you have one of these serious side effects:
• Angioedema (swelling of face, arms, legs, eyes, lips, tongue or difficulty swallowing or breathing)
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Liver injury
• Low heart beat
• Respiratory problems
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen feet or legs
• Trouble breathing while lying down
Less serious side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, tiredness, indigestion, skin problems such as rash, itching and redness of skin, eczema, inflammation of the skin, abnormal sensitivity of the skin to sunlight, change in your sense of taste, loss of taste. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.
Do not take the medication if you are allergic to dronedarone or any other ingredients in this medication, have heart problems such as heart block or very slow heart rate, prolonged QT interval, have severe liver or lung problems, are pregnant or breastfeeding. Multaq may harm your baby if taken during pregnancy and also passes into breast milk. Do not take breastfeed while taking this medication. Before taking Multaq, inform your doctor if you take medications for high blood pressure, chest pain, or other heart problems. Multaq has not been studied in children.
Do not take Multaq if you are taking medications such as Norvir (ritonavir) for HIV infection, Nizoral (ketoconazole) and Sporanox (itraconazole) for fungal infections, Biaxin (clarithromycin) for infections, cyclosporine for organ transplant, medicines that can affect how your heart beats like phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine and thioridazine, medicines for depression such as nortryptyline, Anafranil (chlomipramine), medicines for abnormal heart rhythm or fast heartbeat such as sotalol, Cordarone (amiodarone), dofetilide, Tambocor (flecainide), Rythmol (propafenone), Pradaxa (dabigatran) to thin your blood.