Multaq, the brand name for Dronedarone, is most known as a drug used to treat heart patients with issues like abnormal rhythm (“arrhythmia” or “atrial fibrillation”) or quivering or fluttering in their atrium (“atrial flutter.”) Multaq can reduce the risk of hospitalization due to these heart problems.
However, while this drug may improve the risk of hospitalization, monitoring for possible liver injury or toxicity is warranted. Recently, the FDA reported concern for liver damage caused by Dronedarone.
Recent reports to the FDA reveal serious liver damage including liver failure and damage to the liver at the cellular level, which have resulted in transplantation. When patients underwent blood work for liver enzymes, severe cellular damage was noted and transplantation was inevitable.
The drug should not be given to patients who have moderate to severe heart failure. Doing so doubles the risk of death. Patients should be advised to seek physician assistance immediately if they experience any symptoms of liver injury or toxicity.
Patients and physicians should discuss this risk and develop a treatment plan for monitoring the liver enzymes regularly to prevent and reduce the risk of liver damage.
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