Multaq Dosage, forms & strengths
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Get started todayMultaq (dronedarone) is an antiarrhythmic medicine that is manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis. It is FDA-approved to help maintain a normal heart rhythm and reduce hospitalization in adults with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (persistent AF) or atrial flutter. Multaq should not be used in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation that cannot be converted back to a normal rhythm.
How does Multaq work?
The exact mechanism of action of Multaq is not known. It is thought to work by blocking potassium channels in your heart to reduce its electrical activity. This helps you stay in a normal sinus rhythm and prevents you from going into AFib.
Multaq dosage forms and strengths
- 400mg film-coated tablet
Multaq dosage
The recommended dose of Multaq for adults is 400mg by mouth twice a day. One tablet should be taken with your morning meal and one tablet with your evening meal.
Multaq dosage restrictions
- No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with renal impairment.
- No dose adjustment is necessary for patients with moderate hepatic impairment. There is little clinical experience with moderate hepatic impairment and no experience with severe hepatic impairment.
How to take Multaq
- Read the Full Prescribing Information with Boxed Warning, and Medication Guide that comes with Multaq.
- Take Multaq exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not change your dose or stop taking this medication without discussing it with them.
- Multaq is usually taken twice a day, once with your morning meal and once with your evening meal.
- If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at its normal time. Do not take 2 doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
Multaq dosage FAQs
What are some side effects of Multaq?
Some common adverse reactions to Multaq seen in clinical trials when compared to placebo include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Increase in serum creatinine
- Abdominal pain
- Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
- Unusual tiredness
- Indigestion
- Skin reactions such as rash and itching
Multaq can sometimes cause more serious side effects, including:
- Severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions (hives, swelling of the face or throat, and shortness of breath)
- QT prolongation including torsades de pointes-type ventricular tachycardia
- Increased risk of death
- Lung problems such as pulmonary fibrosis
- Liver injury or toxicity
- Low potassium or magnesium levels
Contact your healthcare professional for medical advice about any adverse events you experience while taking Multaq. You can report your side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
What are some drug interactions with Multaq?
The use of Multaq with other medications may change the way it works or increase the frequency and severity of side effects. You should ask your doctor if any of the prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements you take may interact with Multaq, including:
- Class I or III antiarrhythmics such as flecainide and amiodarone
- Antifungal medications such as itraconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole
- Macrolide antibiotics such as telithromycin and clarithromycin
- Calcium channel blockers such as verapamil
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin and dabigatran
- Beta-blockers and other CYP2D6 substrates
- Phenothiazines such as promethazine
- Statins such as simvastatin
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as doxepin
- Nefazodone
- Cyclosporine
- Sirolimus
- Tacrolimus
- St. John’s wort
- Digoxin
- Grapefruit juice
- Phenytoin
- Ritonavir
Are there any contraindications or precautions with Multaq?
You should not take Multaq if you have an allergy to dronedarone or any inactive ingredients in it. You should also avoid this medication if you have severe heart failure, sick sinus syndrome (unless you have a pacemaker), low heart rate (bradycardia), liver disease, or are taking strong CYP3A inhibitors or medications that cause QT prolongation or ventricular arrhythmias.
How should I store Multaq?
You should store Multaq at room temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C).
Is it safe to use Multaq while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Multaq may cause harm to your unborn baby and should not be used if you are pregnant. If you can become pregnant, use effective contraception while on Multaq. It is not known whether this medication is found in breast milk or the effects it may have on the breastfed infant. Multaq is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding. You should always discuss the risks and benefits of any medication with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
What class of medication is Multaq?
Multaq is considered a Class III antiarrhythmic medication that works by blocking potassium ion channels.
What foods should you avoid with Multaq?
You should avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit while taking Multaq. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can increase the concentration of Multaq in your blood which can cause serious side effects.
Does Multaq cause withdrawal symptoms?
You should not stop taking Multaq without discussing it with your doctor. Abruptly stopping this medication may cause worsening AFib symptoms.
Is there monitoring required while on Multaq?
Your doctor should conduct an ECG to check your heart rhythm every 3 months, especially if you are taking other medications that prolong the QT interval. You should also have your liver enzymes and renal function periodically checked. If you are taking warfarin, you should have your INR monitored when starting Multaq. Multaq can also cause serious heart problems, especially if you have a history of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. Notify your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of heart failure, such as weight gain, swelling, or increasing shortness of breath.
What is the average price of Multaq?
Multaq is an expensive medication. The average cost of #60 tablets of Multaq 400mg is around $660.
Related resources for Multaq dosage
- https://reference.medscape.com/drug/multaq-dronedarone-999201
- https://www.multaqhcp.com/
- https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/022425s010lbl.pdf
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/dronedarone-oral-route/description/drg-20073151
- https://products.sanofi.us/multaq/multaq_medguide.pdf
- https://www.rxlist.com/multaq-drug.htm
- https://www.drugs.com/multaq.html
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-review-update-multaq-dronedarone-and-increased-risk-death-and-serious
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a609034.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482322/
