8 Multaq (Dronedarone) Side Effects and How to Manage Them
Multaq (dronedarone) may cause weakness, nausea, and rash for some people. Review more common Multaq side effects and ways to cope with them at GoodRx.
Multaq
Used for Atrial Fibrillation
Used for Atrial Fibrillation
Multaq (dronedarone) is an antiarrhythmic medication. It's used to lower the risk of hospitalization in adults with atrial fibrillation (AFib). Multaq (dronedarone) comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth twice per day, preferably with food. Common side effects of this medication include diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Multaq (dronedarone) is brand-name only and not available as a generic.
What is Multaq (dronedarone)?
What is Multaq (dronedarone) used for?
- To lower the risk of hospitalization from atrial fibrillation (AFib) in adults who have a history of paroxysmal or persistent AFib
How Multaq (dronedarone) works
Multaq (dronedarone) is an antiarrhythmic medication. The main way it works is by blocking potassium channels in the heart. This helps slow your heart's electrical activity so that your heart can beat at a normal rhythm.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Multaq |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Antiarrhythmic |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Multaq (dronedarone) essentials
Side effects of Multaq (dronedarone)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Rise in creatinine levels (51%)
- Abnormal heart rhythm (QTc prolongation) (28%)
- Diarrhea (9%)
- Weakness (7%)
- Nausea (5%)
- Skin reactions, including rash and itching (5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Indigestion or heartburn
Multaq (dronedarone) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Stroke: slurred speech, weakness on one side of your body, droopy face, blurred vision, difficulty walking
- Heart failure: shortness of breath, swelling, holding onto more water, coughing or wheezing, fast heart rate
- Liver damage: dark-colored urine, stomach pain, nausea, itching, yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes
- Lung damage: cough, trouble breathing, chest pain or tightness
- Kidney damage: changes in urination, holding onto more water, swelling, shortness of breath, high blood pressure
- Delayed heart rhythm
More on Multaq (dronedarone) side effects
The following Multaq (dronedarone) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Chest pain or discomfort
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
shortness of breath
slow or irregular heartbeat
unusual tiredness
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
blistering, crusting, irritation, itching, or reddening of the skin
cracked, dry, or scaly skin
indigestion
itching skin
rash
redness or discoloration of the skin
skin rash, encrusted, scaly, and oozing
skin rash, hives, itching, or redness
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swelling
Rare
Change in taste
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
loss of taste
severe sunburn
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Get your GoodRx coupon
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GoodRx discount
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Pros and cons of Multaq (dronedarone)
Pros
- Lowers the risk of hospitalization from AFib
- Prescribed in one standard dose; no dose adjustments needed
- Taken by mouth
Cons
- Not safe for use in heart failure, permanent AFib, or during pregnancy
- Taken twice daily
- Interacts with many medications and supplements
Pharmacist tips for Multaq (dronedarone)
- Mark your calendar with your appointments to see your cardiologist and to get any blood work or tests done while you take Multaq (dronedarone). Some tests you can expect to get include an electrocardiogram (ECG), liver blood tests, and blood electrolytes. These tests help your cardiologist see how well Multaq (dronedarone) is working and if it's causing side effects.
- Take Multaq (dronedarone) twice daily, in the morning and evening, with food. Food helps your body absorb more Multaq (dronedarone), which makes the medication work better.
- Avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking Multaq (dronedarone) because it can raise the amount of the medication in your body, which raises your risk of side effects.
- Make sure to tell your prescriber about all the medications you're taking before you start Multaq (dronedarone). And don't start any new medications without talking to a healthcare professional (HCP) first. Your care team should review your medication list to make sure your medications are safe to take together. Multaq (dronedarone) interacts with many medications, such as warfarin (Coumadin), calcium channel blockers, and statins.
- Stomach-related side effects, such as diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain, are common with Multaq (dronedarone). Work with your cardiologist on lifestyle changes to help prevent these, such as staying hydrated, changes in your food choice, or eating smaller meals more frequently. If lifestyle changes don't work, ask your prescriber for recommendations on available treatment options.
- If you're able to become pregnant, you need to use effective birth control while you're taking Multaq (dronedarone) and for 5 days after your last dose. This medication should be avoided during pregnancy because it can cause harm to growing babies. Let your healthcare team know if you're pregnant or want to become pregnant because they'll need to talk with you about safer treatment options.
- Don't breastfeed while you're taking Multaq (dronedarone) and for 5 days after your last dose. If you are nursing, your healthcare team will talk with you about safer options to feed your baby after you start Multaq (dronedarone), such as using baby formula instead.
Risks and warnings for Multaq (dronedarone)
Multaq (dronedarone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Not safe for people with severe heart failure or permanent atrial fibrillation
- Risk factors: Severe (decompensated) heart failure | Permanent atrial fibrillation
Multaq (dronedarone) must be avoided in people with permanent atrial fibrillation, or severe or symptomatic heart failure. Taking Multaq (dronedarone) with these conditions can raise the risk for serious problems, such as worsening heart failure, stroke, and even death. Your cardiologist will order electrocardiograms (ECGs) to measure your heart rhythm to make sure you're in normal sinus rhythm before starting Multaq (dronedarone).
New or worsening heart failure
Multaq (dronedarone) can cause new or worsening heart failure. Contact your cardiologist right away if you notice symptoms of heart failure, such as unexplained weight gain, swelling in your legs or feet, or more shortness of breath especially when you lie down.
Liver damage
- Risk factors: Liver damage from amiodarone (Pacerone)
Although rare, people who took Multaq (dronedarone) have developed liver problems. Because of this risk, your prescriber might order blood tests before you start and during treatment to check your liver health. Also, you're recommended to limit or avoid drinking alcohol because doing so can also cause liver damage. Get medical attention right away if you experience symptoms of liver problems, including tiredness, nausea, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. Your healthcare team might ask you to stop taking Multaq (dronedarone) in order to prevent further liver damage.
Lung damage
- Risk factors: Lung damage from amiodarone (Pacerone)
In some rare cases, Multaq (dronedarone) can cause lung damage such as inflammation (pneumonitis) or scarring (fibrosis). Let your prescriber know right away if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath or dry cough.
Low potassium and magnesium levels
- Risk factors: Taking diuretics (water pills) that lower potassium
Taking Multaq (dronedarone) with certain diuretics (water pills) can lead to low potassium and magnesium levels in the blood, which can lead to serious heart problems. Your prescriber will monitor your electrolytes before and during treatment with Multaq (dronedarone). You might need to take supplements to keep your electrolyte levels within the normal range.
Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm
- Risk factors: Low blood potassium or magnesium levels | Older age | Kidney problems | History of heart problems, slow heart rate, or other abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) | Personal or family history of long QT syndrome | Taking other medications that cause QT prolongation
Multaq (dronedarone) can lengthen the time period from when the heart pumps and then relaxes. This is known as QT prolongation. Your risk is higher if you have certain factors, including abnormal electrolyte levels, heart rhythm problems, or are taking other medications that cause heart rhythm problems, such as certain antidepressants or ciprofloxacin (Cipro), among others. To lower your risk, your prescriber will monitor your heart and perform electrocardiograms (ECGs) to make sure your heart rhythm is normal. If you feel your chest pounding, have trouble breathing, have chest pain, or feel faint or lightheaded while taking Multaq (dronedarone), call 911 right away.
Kidney damage or failure
- Risk factors: Heart failure | Low fluids in the body
Multaq (dronedarone) can cause kidney damage or failure, especially in people who have heart failure or or who are dehydrated. This, as well any changes in kidney labs, usually goes away after stopping the medication. Your cardiologist will monitor your kidney labs (e.g., creatinine) regularly throughout treatment to make sure this doesn't become a major problem.
Harm to unborn babies
- Risk factors: Pregnancy
Animal studies suggest that Multaq (dronedarone) can cause harm to unborn babies if taken by mothers during pregnancy. If you're able to become pregnant, your healthcare team might ask you to take a pregnancy test to confirm you're not pregnant before you can start Multaq (dronedarone). You're recommended to use effective birth control during treatment with Multaq (dronedarone) and for 5 days after your last dose.
Multaq (dronedarone) dosage
The average cost for 60 tablets of 400mg of Multaq (dronedarone) is $0.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 100.00% off the average retail price of $1,032.94. 
Tablet
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400mg | 60 tablets | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Typical dosage for Multaq (dronedarone)
- Adults: The typical dose is 400 mg by mouth twice per day with food.
More on Multaq (dronedarone) dosage
Interactions between Multaq (dronedarone) and other drugs
Multaq (dronedarone) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Multaq (dronedarone). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Alfuzosin
- Amiodarone
- Amisulpride
- Amitriptyline
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Atazanavir
- Azithromycin
- Bedaquiline
- Bepridil
- Boceprevir
- Buprenorphine
- Buserelin
- Ceritinib
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Cisapride
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clofazimine
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Cobicistat
- Colchicine
- Conivaptan
- Crizotinib
- Cyclobenzaprine
- Cyclosporine
- Dabrafenib
- Darunavir
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxepin
- Droperidol
- Ebastine
- Efavirenz
- Eliglustat
- Encorafenib
- Entrectinib
- Eribulin
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Famotidine
- Felbamate
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Flibanserin
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Fluphenazine
- Formoterol
- Foscarnet
- Fosphenytoin
- Galantamine
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glasdegib
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydroquinidine
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Idelalisib
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Indinavir
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Itraconazole
- Ivabradine
- Ivosidenib
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Lefamulin
- Lenvatinib
- Leuprolide
- Levofloxacin
- Levomethadyl
- Lidocaine
- Lofexidine
- Lomitapide
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Mefloquine
- Mesoridazine
- Methadone
- Methotrimeprazine
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Mirtazapine
- Mizolastine
- Moricizine
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Nefazodone
- Nelfinavir
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Olanzapine
- Ondansetron
- Osilodrostat
- Osimertinib
- Oxaliplatin
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Papaverine
- Paroxetine
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentamidine
- Perphenazine
- Pimavanserin
- Pimozide
- Pipamperone
- Piperaquine
- Pitolisant
- Ponesimod
- Posaconazole
- Probucol
- Procainamide
- Prochlorperazine
- Promethazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinidine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Ribociclib
- Risperidone
- Ritonavir
- Saquinavir
- Selpercatinib
- Sertindole
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sparfloxacin
- Sulpiride
- Sultopride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tamoxifen
- Telaprevir
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Terfenadine
- Tetrabenazine
- Thioridazine
- Tolterodine
- Toremifene
- Trazodone
- Triclabendazole
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Venlafaxine
- Vilanterol
- Vinflunine
- Voclosporin
- Voriconazole
- Vorinostat
- Ziprasidone
- Zotepine
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acalabrutinib
- Acebutolol
- Acecainide
- Afatinib
- Alfentanil
- Alprazolam
- Apalutamide
- Aprepitant
- Atenolol
- Avapritinib
- Azimilide
- Benzhydrocodone
- Berotralstat
- Betaxolol
- Betrixaban
- Bisoprolol
- Bosentan
- Bosutinib
- Bretylium
- Brexpiprazole
- Brigatinib
- Carbamazepine
- Carteolol
- Carvedilol
- Celiprolol
- Chloral Hydrate
- Cilostazol
- Cobimetinib
- Codeine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Deflazacort
- Dexamethasone
- Digoxin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diltiazem
- Docetaxel
- Doxorubicin
- Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome
- Elexacaftor
- Enflurane
- Enzalutamide
- Eplerenone
- Esmolol
- Etravirine
- Everolimus
- Fentanyl
- Fosaprepitant
- Fosnetupitant
- Fostemsavir
- Halothane
- Hydrocodone
- Ibrutinib
- Ifosfamide
- Isoflurane
- Isradipine
- Ivacaftor
- Labetalol
- Lacosamide
- Larotrectinib
- Lemborexant
- Levobunolol
- Lidoflazine
- Lorlatinib
- Lovastatin
- Lumacaftor
- Lumateperone
- Lurbinectedin
- Meperidine
- Metipranolol
- Metoprolol
- Midazolam
- Mitotane
- Modafinil
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nadolol
- Nafcillin
- Naloxegol
- Nebivolol
- Neratinib
- Netupitant
- Nevirapine
- Olaparib
- Oxcarbazepine
- Oxprenolol
- Oxycodone
- Ozanimod
- Pemigatinib
- Penbutolol
- Pentazocine
- Pexidartinib
- Phenobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Pindolol
- Pixantrone
- Practolol
- Prednisone
- Prilocaine
- Primidone
- Propranolol
- Relugolix
- Rifabutin
- Rifampin
- Rifapentine
- Rimegepant
- Selumetinib
- Sematilide
- Simeprevir
- Simvastatin
- Siponimod
- Sirolimus
- Sonidegib
- Spiramycin
- St John's Wort
- Sufentanil
- Sulfamethoxazole
- Tazemetostat
- Tezacaftor
- Timolol
- Tolvaptan
- Topotecan
- Tramadol
- Trimethoprim
- Ubrogepant
- Venetoclax
- Verapamil
- Vincristine
- Vincristine Sulfate Liposome
- Warfarin
- Zanubrutinib
- Zolmitriptan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Apixaban
- Rivaroxaban
- Suvorexant
How much does Multaq (dronedarone) cost?
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Multaq (brand)
$0.00
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Multaq (dronedarone) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Multaq (dronedarone) will not be safe for you to take.
- Permanent atrial fibrillation
- Severe or symptomatic heart failure
- Second- or third-degree AV block
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Use with strong CYP3A inhibitors
- Use with QT prolonging drugs
- Liver or lung damage from amiodarone (Pacerone)
- Severe liver problems
What are alternatives to Multaq (dronedarone)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Multaq (dronedarone). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
News about Multaq (dronedarone)
How Much Is Multaq Without Insurance?
Multaq can cost more than $900 without insurance or discounts. Learn more about how much Multaq is without insurance and ways to save.
Multaq Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide
Multaq may be prescribed for an irregular heartbeat. The typical Multaq dosage is 400 mg twice daily. Read about managing missed doses and more with GoodRx.
Multaq (dronedarone) images
