Multaq (Dronedarone)

Do’s

• Before starting Multaq, read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist. If you have any questions, ask your healthcare provider for clarification.
• Take Multaq by mouth with food as directed by your healthcare provider.
• The usual dosage is twice daily – once with your morning meal and once with your evening meal.
• Take Multaq regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
• Your healthcare provider may also direct you to take another medication, such as a "blood thinner"/anticoagulant, to lower the risk of serious blood clots. Follow their instructions carefully.
• If your heartbeat or pulse becomes fast or irregular, seek medical help right away.

Don’ts

• Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using Multaq, unless your healthcare provider says it's safe to do so. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine.
• Do not stop taking Multaq without asking your healthcare provider first.

Common Side Effects:

• Stomach problems such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach-area pain, and indigestion
• Feeling tired and weak
• Skin problems such as redness, rash, and itching

Serious Side Effects:

• Slowed heartbeat
• Inflammation of the lungs, including scarring and thickening
• Low potassium and magnesium levels in your blood
• Changes in kidney function blood tests

Not all individuals may experience these side effects, and if they do occur, they may require medical attention. If you experience any side effects that bother you or do not go away, inform your healthcare provider.

Do not take Multaq if you have severe heart failure that makes you short of breath during light activity or even while resting, or if you recently had to stay in a hospital because your heart failure got worse.

You should not take Multaq if you have severe liver problems or if you had liver or lung problems after using amiodarone.

Multaq is contraindicated in patients with NYHA Class IV heart failure or symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization because it doubles the risk of death.

You should not take Multaq if you have a certain type of heart problem called heart block, and you do not have an implanted pacemaker.

Multaq doubles the rate of cardiovascular death, stroke, and heart failure in patients with atrial fibrillation who cannot or will not be converted into normal sinus rhythm (permanent AF).