Antiarrhythmics

Question 0

Cordarone, Pacerone

Answer 0

amiodarone

• antiarrhythmic
• may cause phototoxicity: can turn blue over time with much sun exposure
• BBW: may cause proarrhythmic effects, only use in pts. with life-threatening arrhythmias, may cause pulmonary toxicity(specifically alveolitis)

Question 1

antiarrhythmics (8)

Answer 1

-BBW: may cause proarrhythmic effects
Cordarone
Pacerone
Multaq
Norpace
Tambocor
mexiletine
Rythmol
Tikosyn

Question 2

Multaq

Answer 2

dronedarone

• antiarrhythmic
• BBW: may cause proarrhythmic effects, do NOT use in pts. with severe heart failure (two-fold increase)

Question 3

Norpace

Answer 3

disopyramide

-antiarrhythmic

Question 4

Tambocor

Answer 4

flecainide

-antiarrhythmic

Question 5

mexiletine

Answer 5

-antiarrhythmic

Question 6

Rythmol

Answer 6

propafenone

-antiarrhythmic

Question 7

Tikosyn

Answer 7

dofetilide

• antiarrhythmic
• BBW: may cause proarrhythmic effects, must monitor continuously for 3 days, and only use in pts. with life-threatening arrhythmias(drug of last resort, monitor ECG)

Question 8

proarrhythmic effects

Answer 8

new or worsening arrhythmias

Question 9

Lanoxin

Answer 9

digoxin

• has positive inotropic action - makes heart beat stronger
• tablet: Lanoxin - 0.125mg(yellow), 0.25mg(white)
• elixir: 0.05mg/mL
• parenteral: Lanoxin (0.25mg/mL)

Question 10

digoxin pt. counseling

Answer 10

• may cause nausea, vomiting, or vision problems(yellow or green halos around objects)
• vision problems are the first symptoms of digoxin toxicity

Question 11

digoxin levels

Answer 11

• heart failure: 0.8-1.5ng/mL
• arrhythmias: 1.5-2ng/mL
• above 2.5ng/mL = toxicity