Antiarrhythmic

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Antiarrhytmic drugs

Anti-arrythmic, as the name suggests, is a drug used to treat an abnormal heart rhythm, also called arrythmia. Examples of drugs considered as antiarrhytmic include the following:

• Betablockers such as metoprololol (lopressor, topral)
• Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• flecainide (Tambocor)
• ibutilide (Corvert), which can only be given through IV.
• lidocaine (Xylocaine), which can only be given through IV.
• procainamide (Procan, Procanbid)
• propafenone (Rythmol)
• quinidine (many brand names)
• tocainide (Tonocarid)

Classes of antiarrythmic drugs

The five main classes in the Vaughan Williams classification of antiarrhythmic agents are:

• Class I agents interfere with the sodium (Na⁺) channel.
• Class II agents are anti-sympathetic nervous system agents. Most agents in this class are beta blockers.
• Class III agents affect potassium (K⁺) efflux.
• Class IV agents affect calcium channels and the AV node.
• Class V agents work by other or unknown mechanisms.

List of antiarrhythmic agents:

• Amiodarone
• Disopyramide
• Dofetilide
• Dronedarone
• Flecainide
• Ivabradine
• Mexiletine
• Procainamide
• Propafenone
• Quinidine

Antiarrhythmic Resources
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