Side Effects of Antiarrhythmics

Antiarrhythmics are a class of medications used to treat certain heart problems. Heart beats are regulated by the flow of electricity. When something goes wrong with electrical conduction in the heart, irregular heart beats can occur. Antiarrhythmic drugs treat irregular heart beats by acting on the electrical system of the heart. Examples of antiarrhythmic drugs are amiodarone, procainamide, lidocaine and quinidine.

• Antiarrhythmic side effects.

Cardiovascular

• Antiarrhythmic medications have side effects on the heart, including a decrease in blood pressure, chest pain or angina, slow heart beats, fast heart beats, increased irregular heart beats, heart failure, shock due to heart problems, and heart block.

Central Nervous System

• Administration of an antiarrhythmic may cause difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, restlessness, headaches, nervousness, seizures, drowsiness, confusion, decreased sex drive, dizziness, uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body, movements you cannot control, poor coordination or trouble walking, and numbness or tingling in the hands, legs and feet

Gastrointestinal System

• Antiarrhythmic side effects on the digestive system are constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, drying of the throat, stomach pain, changes in ability to taste and smell, changes in the amount of saliva or dry mouth, and a bitter taste in the mouth.

Skin

• Side effects of antiarrhythmics on the skin are hives, itchy skin, excessive sweating, intolerance to heat or cold, rashes, sensitivity to sunlight, and flushing.

Other Side Effects

• Antiarrhythmic side effects also include eye pain, blurred vision, laryngospasms, drying of the nose and airways, swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs, muscle weakness, thinning hair, weight loss or gain, changes in menstrual cycles, inability to urinate, urinating frequently, and uterine contractions during pregnancy.