All about Multaq

What are Multaq’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Multaq may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that Multaq may cause. These lists don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Multaq. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Multaq can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Multaq’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Multaq that have been reported include:

• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• abdominal pain
• indigestion (upset stomach)
• feeling weak
• skin rash
• itching
• mild allergic reaction*

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Multaq can occur, but they aren’t common. If you have serious side effects from Multaq, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, you should call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Multaq that have been reported include:

• liver problems, such as liver failure
• kidney problems, such as kidney failure
• lung problems, such as swelling or scarring in the lungs
• a type of atypical heart rhythm called long QT syndrome
• boxed warning: increased risk of death, stroke, and heart failure in certain people*
• severe allergic reaction†

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Multaq?” section.
† To learn more about this side effect, see the “Allergic reaction” section below.

Allergic reaction

Some people may have an allergic reaction to Multaq.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet. They can also include swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, which can cause trouble breathing.

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Multaq. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

What is Multaq’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Multaq that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strength

Multaq is available as an oral tablet in a strength of 400 milligrams (mg).

Recommended dosage

The usual dosage of Multaq is 400 mg, taken twice per day, with your morning and evening meals.

To learn more about Multaq’s dosage, see this article.

Questions about taking Multaq

Below are some common questions about taking Multaq.

• Can Multaq be chewed, crushed, or split? Multaq’s manufacturer hasn’t stated whether the tablets can be chewed, crushed, or split. Ideally, you should swallow them whole. If you have trouble swallowing pills, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Should I take Multaq with food? Yes, you should take Multaq with a meal.
• Is there a best time of day to take Multaq? Yes, you should take Multaq twice per day, with your morning and evening meals. This keeps a consistent level of the drug in your body, which helps Multaq work effectively.
• What if I miss a dose of Multaq ? If you miss a dose of Multaq, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
• Will I need to use Multaq long term? Yes, Multaq is meant to be taken on a long-term basis. To learn more about your treatment plan, talk with your doctor.

Overdose

Do not take more Multaq than your doctor prescribes. Using more than this can lead to negative effects.

What to do in case you take too much Multaq

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Multaq. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.

What are some frequently asked questions about Multaq?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Multaq.

Is Multaq safe for older adults?

Yes, Multaq is usually considered safe for older adults. In studies, Multaq was found to be similarly safe in older and younger adults. Also, the side effects of Multaq reported in people ages 65 years and older were similar to those reported in younger adults.

But older adults are more likely to have certain health conditions or take other medications that could make it unsafe to take Multaq. For example, doctors may not prescribe Multaq for people with a heart condition called sick sinus syndrome. This condition is more common in older adults.

To find out what conditions and medications may interact with Multaq, see the section below called “What should be considered before taking Multaq?” And if you’re concerned about whether Multaq is safe for you due to your age or any other factors, talk with your doctor.

How does Multaq work, and how long does the drug stay in your system?

Multaq is used to help reduce the risk of a hospital stay for certain adults who have a history of atrial fibrillation (AFib).

With AFib, you have an irregular heart rhythm that disturbs the flow of blood through your heart and to the rest of your body. It raises your risk of serious problems, such as blood clots and stroke. These problems often require treatment in a hospital.

AFib is caused by a disruption in the electrical signals that manage your heart rhythm. Multaq works by regulating these electrical signals to help keep your heart beating in a typical rhythm. This is to prevent future episodes of AFib that may require a hospital stay.

Multaq works for about 13–19 hours after you take a dose. It takes about 2–4 days to be fully cleared from your system.

Does Multaq cause weight gain?

It’s not likely. Weight gain wasn’t reported as a side effect in studies of Multaq. But Multaq may cause new or worsening heart failure in some people,* and sudden weight gain can be a symptom of this. Other symptoms of heart failure include swelling of your lower legs and shortness of breath.

If you experience sudden weight gain or other symptoms of heart failure while taking Multaq, see your doctor right away.

* Multaq has a boxed warning for the risk of heart failure in certain people. To learn more, see the “What should be considered before taking Multaq?” section below.

What should be considered before taking Multaq?

Below is important information you should consider before taking Multaq.

Interactions

Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions.

Multaq can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain supplements as well as certain foods.

Before taking Multaq, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

Drug interactions

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Multaq. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Multaq. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Multaq and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Multaq. It’s likely safe to consume alcohol while taking Multaq. But it’s important to note that excessive alcohol use can lead to liver problems. Multaq can also cause liver problems, so drinking excessively during your treatment could raise your risk of this side effect.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how much may be safe to consume while taking Multaq.

Other interactions

Multaq can interact with other substances such as:

• Vitamins or supplements: Multaq interacts with St. John’s wort. Your doctor will likely recommend that you avoid taking this supplement during your Multaq treatment.
• Foods: Multaq interacts with grapefruit and grapefruit juice. Your doctor will likely recommend that you do not consume grapefruit products while taking Multaq.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Multaq is not safe to take during pregnancy. It’s not known whether it’s safe to take it while breastfeeding.

If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk with your doctor about your options.

Birth control

If you’re able to become pregnant, your doctor may recommend using a form of birth control during your Multaq treatment. To learn more, talk with your doctor.

Boxed warning

Multaq has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Multaq can increase the risk of death, heart failure, and stroke in certain people. Due to these risks, your doctor will likely not prescribe Multaq if you have:

• heart failure that has recently worsened and required treatment in a hospital
• NYHA* class IV heart failure (severe heart failure that causes symptoms when resting and worsened symptoms with physical activity)
• permanent atrial fibrillation (AFib that won’t return to a typical heart rhythm)

Multaq should only be used in people who have had past episodes of AFib but currently have a typical heart rhythm. Your doctor will likely check your heart rhythm at least every 3 months.

If your doctor detects that your heart is in AFib, they may use cardioversion to correct your heart rhythm. Cardioversion uses medication or electrical signals to return your heart rhythm to what it should be. Or they may have you stop taking Multaq.

* “NYHA” stands for New York Heart Association. This organization and the American College of Cardiology classify heart failure into different stages based on severity.

Other warnings

Multaq can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Multaq is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Multaq. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• liver problems
• heart block or sick sinus syndrome
• heart rate slower than 50 beats per minute
• long QT syndrome or long PR intervals (atypical heart rhythms)
• taking medications or supplements that can cause long QT syndrome
• currently taking certain drugs or supplements that can interact with Multaq
• previous lung or liver problems caused by taking an antiarrhythmic drug called amiodarone (Pacerone)
• previous allergic reaction to Multaq
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

What does Multaq cost?

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Multaq. What you’ll pay for Multaq may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

• Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Multaq when using coupons from the site.
• Generic form: Multaq is not available as a generic drug. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also check out this article to learn more about saving money on prescriptions.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline. Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

What is Multaq used for?

Multaq is used to reduce the risk of a hospital stay for atrial fibrillation (AFib) for adults who currently have a typical heart rhythm but who have had:

• paroxysmal AFib (occasional episodes of AFib that stop within 7 days)
• persistent AFib (occasional episodes of AFib that last longer than 7 days)

AFib is a type of irregular heart rhythm that affects the top two chambers of your heart. AFib may cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fainting.

AFib disturbs the flow of blood through your heart and to the rest of your body. This raises your risk of serious problems such as blood clots and stroke. These problems often require treatment in a hospital.

Multaq works by regulating these electrical signals to help keep your heart beating in a typical rhythm. This helps prevent future episodes of AFib that may require a hospital stay.

Similar drugs

Other drugs are available that can treat your condition. If you’d like to explore an alternative to Multaq, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that might work well for you.

The following drugs are similar to Multaq:

• certain beta-blockers, such as sotalol (Betapace)
• certain calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem)
• amiodarone (Pacerone)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• disopyramide (Norpace)
• dofetilide (Tikosyn)
• flecainide
• mexiletine
• quinidine
• propafenone (Rythmol SR)