Irregular heart rhythm can be caused by various reasons. This condition is called arrhythmia and sometimes does not cause a person any trouble. But most often it is associated with more serious diseases and requires special treatment. The danger of this is that some patients do not go to the doctor with symptoms such as a violation of the frequency and sequence of heart contractions. And when unpleasant sensations appear, they try to get rid of them with the help of drugs that the pharmacist or acquaintances advised them. But this approach can lead to serious complications. With this problem, it is necessary to take special medicines for cardiac arrhythmias. The list of them is very large, so you can not choose on your own. Only a doctor can determine which drug is needed in each case.
What is arrhythmia
This condition can be caused by both serious disturbances in the work of the cardiovascular or endocrine system, and external causes. Often, arrhythmia develops due to stress, overwork, or impropernutrition. What symptoms might a patient experience with an abnormal heart rhythm?
- Random heartbeat that suddenly starts and ends. The intervals between beats can be uneven. This condition is called atrial fibrillation.
- Intervals between heartbeats of different duration or an extraordinary beat is observed with extrasystole.
- If the problem is in the weakness of the sinus node, the patient experiences dizziness, weakness, and the heart beats infrequently and unevenly.
What are the drugs for arrhythmia
The human heart is very complex, and only with the coordinated work of all parts of this mechanism, a person feels good. An arrhythmia can occur with vasoconstriction, abnormal contraction of the ventricles or atria, weakening of the membrane, or for other reasons. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for this disease. And only a doctor can determine which medications for arrhythmia the patient needs. Their rating depends on the nature of the impact:
- The largest group is membrane stabilizing drugs. They are used for arrhythmias associated with abnormal functioning of the atria and ventricles. Such means can also influence the speed of impulse conduction. These are the most common medicines for cardiac arrhythmias. Their list is very large: for example, Ritmilen, Novocainamide, Quinidine, Bonnecor and others.
- Adrenergic blockers are also used quite often. They regulate the heartmuscles and enrich tissues with oxygen. These are Anaprilin, Atenolol and others.
- Calcium channel blockers, such as Verapramil, also help with arrhythmias.
Drugs that affect the membrane of the heart
These medicines are used for ventricular and atrial arrhythmia or in violation of the speed of the impulse. This is the most extensive group of drugs, they are prescribed most often. But you can take them only on the recommendation of a doctor after the examination. After all, if the patient's arrhythmia is caused by other reasons, these drugs can harm him. In addition, within this class of drugs, several groups are also distinguished depending on the nature of the effect:
- Drugs that do not affect the pulse rate: "Lidocaine", "Tocainide", "Phenytoin" and others. For example, Meksiletin is used for extrasystole. Moreover, it is effective not only for treatment, but also for prevention.
- Drugs that only slightly slow down the impulse: Novocainamide, Aymalin, Norpace and others. With tachycardia, fibrillation and atrial flutter, Quinidine is most often prescribed. And to restore the rhythm with extrasystoles and attacks of arrhythmia, Ritmilen is prescribed. These drugs can also be used for prevention.
- This group of drugs is used mainly in medical institutions intravenously. They greatly slow down the conduction of the impulse, therefore, if used incorrectlymay be dangerous. These are drugs such as Flecainide, Ritmonorm, Bonnecor, Allapinin.
Beta blockers
In addition to regulating heart rate, they lower blood pressure and improve oxygen supply to tissues. Doctors often prescribe such medications for heart arrhythmias. Their list is not so big, but they are in demand in pharmacies. After all, many of them need to be taken for a long time to support the proper functioning of the atria and ventricles, with atrial fibrillation and tachycardia. Most often, Atenolol, Betalok, Acebutalol, Vasocardin, Anaprilin, Pindolol and others are prescribed.
Calcium channel blockers
In some cases, an excess of this mineral on the walls of the vessels of the heart and in its muscles leads to a rhythm failure. Therefore, drugs are also often used that block its release and entry into cells. They slow down the frequency of beats and regulate the work of the heart muscle. Such drugs are used for extrasystole, tachycardia, atrial flutter. The most famous of them are Verapramil, Diltiazem and their analogues.
What other drugs are used
There are other medicines for cardiac arrhythmias. The most effective of them are prescribed by a doctor and are often used only in medical institutions. These are Ibutilide, Kordaron, Sotalol, which block the release of potassium from cells. After all, it is often because of the lack of this mineral that the work of the heart is disrupted.
What other drugs are used for arrhythmias:
- cardiac glycosides, such as Digoxin;
- ATF;
- products containing magnesium or potassium: Magne B6, Panangin;
- "Captopril";
- statins.
If the change in heart rate is rare and only after nervous or physical stress, you can take safe herbal preparations. It is permissible to drink Valocordin, Glycine, Novopassit, Motherwort, Valerian, Persen for some time on your own.
Medicines for atrial fibrillation
The list of such drugs is most often known only to doctors. After all, this condition is very dangerous and seriously threatens the life of the patient. Therefore, it is unacceptable to self-medicate. The doctor prescribes the right drug only after the examination and determination of the causes of the disease. Most often, the treatment is complex, including various drugs for cardiac arrhythmias. Their list is extensive, but only a specialist can make the right choice. Most often, Verapramil, Digoxin and Veroshpiron are prescribed. Used for atrial fibrillation and such drugs:
- blockers: Vasocardin, Metoprolol, Acebutalol;
- membrane stabilizing agents: Novocainamide, Aymalin;
- sodium channel blockers, such as Allapinin.
Medicines for arrhythmia: instructions for use
Usually, the dosage and duration of treatment is prescribed by the doctor. Most often you need to drink tablets 2-3 times a day inwithin 1-3 months. Then there is a break, after which you can continue treatment. The main thing is not to skip taking the drug and drink the pills at the same time. It should be remembered that such serious drugs should not only be started in small doses, but it is also important to cancel the treatment gradually.
Contraindications and side effects of these drugs
It is necessary to carefully study the instructions for it before using the drug, even prescribed by a doctor. In most cases, all heart medications have the same side effects:
- nausea, abdominal pain;
- weakness, dizziness, trembling hands;
- insomnia;
- bradycardia;
- depression;
- skin allergic reactions.
But some drug groups may work differently. For example, blockers are contraindicated in patients with bronchial asthma, as they narrow the bronchi.
Most antiarrhythmic drugs are not prescribed for:
- myocardial infarction;
- exacerbation of bronchial asthma;
- low pressure;
- severe kidney or liver failure;
- expressed bradycardia;
- acidosis;
- cardiosclerosis.
Rules for choosing drugs for arrhythmias
The main thing to pay attention to is that such drugs should not be taken without consulting a doctor. Even seemingly harmless herbal remedies can have serious side effects. But patients still need toknow how to choose a medicine for cardiac arrhythmias. After all, all drugs are available in several varieties: drops, tablets, capsules or injection. On your own at home, it is best to take pills, and if there are problems with the stomach, then capsules. The patient can also choose one of the analogues containing the same active substance. Most often you can find a cheaper drug with a similar effect. For example, instead of "Panangin" - "Asparkam". But in serious cases, it is better to consult a doctor.
Arrhythmia drug reviews
In general, patients do not experience any side effects when taking prescribed medications. If all the recommendations of the doctor are followed and the cause of the arrhythmia is eliminated, the disease can be completely cured. But in old age, sometimes you have to take medication constantly. And patients complain that they forget about it by skipping pills. And many heart medications, when abruptly discontinued, cause unpleasant consequences. In general, the most positive reviews for such drugs for arrhythmia: "Veroshpiron", "Panangin", "Anaprilin", "Ritmonorm" and some others.
