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Heart Rhythm Drugs - Class I - Sodium Channel Blockers

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Heart Rhythm Drugs
Class I - Sodium Channel Blockers
Class II - Beta-Blockers
Class III - Potassium Channel Blockers
Class IV - Calcium Channel Blockers
Class V - Miscellaneous
Medication for Common Rhythm Problems
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Do sodium channel blockers prevent heart rhythm problems?

In the past, class I antiarrhythmics were routinely given to heart attack patients to prevent heart rhythm disturbances. However, many studies now show that these medications are not beneficial and actually increase the risk of dying because they often trigger heart rhythm disturbances.5-9 In a combined analysis of 138 studies involving 98,000 heart attack survivors, men and women treated with class I antiarrhythmics had a significantly higher risk of dying compared with patients given dummy pills.8 For these reasons, class I medications are no longer routinely prescribed to heart attack patients. Some of these medications may be injected through an IV line to treat continuing arrhythmias in hospitalized heart attack patients.

Prescribed Class I Antiarrhythmics

Class I Antiarrhythmics – Sodium Channel Blockers
(check with manufacturer for specific information on each drug)

Generic

Disopyramide / Flecainide / Mexiletine / Moricizine / Procainamide / Propafenone / Quinidine / Lidocaine

Brand:

Norpace / Tambocor / Mexitil / Ethmozine / Procanbid / Rhythmol / Quinidex Extentabs

Administration:

Oral

What are they used for:

You should not take these medications if:

  • If you have been diagnosed with:
  • Cardiogenic shock (the heart muscle is so damaged it cannot pump properly, causing a shock-like state)
  • Second- or third-degree heart block (the electrical signals between the upper and lower chambers of the heart are impaired)
  • Lupus
  • Torsade de pointes (a type of rapid heart beat that may be caused by a birth defect or by some medications)

Common side effects:
  • Arrhythmias (which can be fatal, particularly in people who have heart disease), digestive upset, dizziness, lightheadedness, tremor, retention of urine, and dry mouth

Pregnancy/nursing:
  • The safety of these medications during pregnancy is unknown
  • Women who are nursing should not use these medications; if the treatment is essential, then nursing should be discontinued

 



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