Multaq (Dronedarone) is used to treat people who currently have normal heart rhythm, but have had atrial fibrillation in the past. Dronedarone decreases the risk that people who have this condition will need to be hospitalized to treat atrial fibrillation. Dronedarone is in a class of medications called antiarrhythmics. It works by helping the heart to beat normally.

Dronedarone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day, with the morning meal and the evening meal. Take dronedarone at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take dronedarone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe certain medications to decrease the risk of stroke while you are taking dronedarone. Take this medication exactly as directed during your treatment. Dronedarone will help control your heartbeat only as long as you continue to take it. Continue to take dronedarone even if you feel well and have felt well for a long time. Do not stop taking dronedarone without talking to your doctor.

Before taking dronedarone,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to dronedarone, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in dronedarone tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications: certain antidepressants such as amitriptyline (in Limbitrol), amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil); certain antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox), cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); medications for irregular heartbeat such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), and any others not mentioned here. Your doctor may tell you not to take dronedarone if you are taking one or more of these medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as dabigatran (Pradaxa) and warfarin (Coumadin); beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), and verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); carbamazepine (Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol); cholesterol-lowering medications (statins) such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), many others not mentioned here. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
• tell your doctor if you have any other heart problems such as a fast or slow heartbeat, a long QT interval (a heart problem that may cause irregular heartbeat, fainting, or sudden death), liver disease, or if you have had liver or lung problems that developed after taking amiodarone (Pacerone). Your doctor may tell you not to take dronedarone.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any other medical conditions.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. You must use effective birth control during your treatment with dronedarone. Talk to your doctor about birth control methods that will work for you. If you become pregnant while taking dronedarone, call your doctor immediately. Dronedarone may harm the fetus.
• you should not breast-feed during your treatment with dronedarone.
• talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking dronedarone if you are 65 years of age or older. Some older adults should not take dronedarone because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

Dronedarone may cause side effects including:

• diarrhea
• heartburn
• weakness
• rash
• redness

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: 

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, stop taking dronedarone and call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• shortness of breath
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• wheezing
• chest tightness
• dry cough, coughing up frothy mucus
• difficulty sleeping due to breathing problems
• need to prop yourself up with extra pillows in order to breathe at night
• weight gain (of 5 or more pounds) in a short period of time
• swelling of the eyes, face, lips, throat, hands, feet or legs
• slowed heartbeat
• flu-like symptoms
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• sudden severe headache
• sudden complete or partial loss of vision
• difficulty thinking clearly, remembering, or learning new things

Dronedarone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Q: Why is Multaq prescribed?

A: Multaq helps maintain normal heartbeats in certain people with life-threatening rhythm disorders of the atrium.

Q: Does Multaq have a generic alternative?

A: Currently there is no generic of Multaq.

Q: What if I miss a dose of Multaq?

A: Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not try to make up for a missed dose or take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Q: How should I store this medication?

A: Keep Multaq in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).