Multaq (dronedarone HCl)

Antiarrhythmic - Class III Oral Tablet

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Dronedarone hydrochloride is predominantly a class III antiarrhythmic agent, but the drug appears to exhibit activity in each of the 4 Vaughan-Williams antiarrhythmic classes.

Dronedarone hydrochloride is considered to be predominantly a class III antiarrhythmic agent, but the drug also appears to exhibit activity in each of the 4 Vaughan-Williams antiarrhythmic classes. The exact mechanism of antiarrhythmic action has not been fully elucidated, and the exact contribution of each of these activities to the clinical effect of dronedarone is unknown. Dronedarone is a benzofuran derivative that is structurally related to amiodarone, but with structural modifications that include removal of the iodine moiety and addition of a methane-sulfonyl group.

The removal of the iodine group was intended to reduce the risk of non-target organ (e.g., thyroid, pulmonary) adverse effects associated with amiodarone, while the addition of the methane-sulfonyl group was aimed at reducing lipophilicity and thus decreasing the risk of neurotoxic adverse effects and shortening the half-life of dronedarone. Dronedarone also has an electrophysiologic profile similar to that of amiodarone, but with different relative effects on individual ion channels. Dronedarone prolongs the action potential duration (APD), principally due to inhibition of potassium channels including transmembrane delayed rectifier, ultrarapid delayed rectifier, inward rectifier, and transient outward potassium currents.

Dronedarone also appears to inhibit sodium currents (at rapid pacing rates), calcium channels and slow L-type calcium currents, and demonstrates noncompetitive, antiadrenergic (alpha- and beta-blocking) activity. Dronedarone prolongs the PR interval and slows the sinus rate by prolonging the atrial and ventricular refractory periods. Similar to amiodarone, dronedarone produces a dose-dependent increase in the PR interval, as well as moderate prolongation of the QT interval corrected for rate (QTc, Bazett's formula).

The drug also prolongs the RR and QT intervals.

Because dronedarone undergoes first-pass metabolism, the absolute bioavailability is low (about 4%) when administered without food. Bioavailability is increased when the drug is given with meals and is approximately 15% when administered with a high-fat meal. Peak plasma concentrations of dronedarone and its main circulating N-debutyl metabolite are reached within 3-6 hours following oral administration with food.

Steady-state concentrations are achieved within 4-8 days following repeated oral administration of dronedarone 400 mg twice daily. Dronedarone and its N-debutyl metabolite are greater than 98% bound to plasma proteins, mainly albumin; plasma protein binding does not appear to be saturable. Dronedarone is extensively metabolized, mainly by the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A isoenzyme.

The initial metabolic pathway includes N-debutylation to form the active N-debutyl metabolite, oxidative deamination to form the inactive propanoic acid metabolite, and direct oxidation. Monoamine oxidases contribute partially to the metabolism of the active metabolite of dronedarone. The metabolites undergo further metabolism to yield over 30 uncharacterized metabolites.

The N-debutyl metabolite exhibits pharmacodynamic activity, but is only up to one-third as potent as dronedarone. Approximately 6 and 84% of an oral dose is excreted in urine and feces, respectively, mainly as metabolites; no unchanged drug is excreted in urine. The elimination half-life of dronedarone ranges from 13-19 hours following IV administration.

USES: This medication is used if you have had certain types of irregular heartbeat (paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation) in the past but now have a normal heart rhythm. It helps you keep a normal heart rhythm and lowers your chance of having to go to the hospital for atrial fibrillation. Dronedarone is known as an antiarrhythmic drug.

This medication should not be used if you have permanent atrial fibrillation because of the increased risk of very serious side effects. See also Warning section.

Generic name: dronedarone HCl
Pronunciation: (DROE-NE-da-rone)
Drug class: Antiarrhythmic - Class III
Therapeutic class: Cardiovascular Therapy Agents

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Multaq:

  • Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
  • Prevention Of Recurrent Atrial Fibrillation

Also known as: Prevention Of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Dosing

Dosage of dronedarone hydrochloride is expressed in terms of dronedarone.

Drug interactions

Dronedarone is metabolized mainly by the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) 3A isoenzyme.

Dronedarone is a moderate inhibitor of CYP 3A and 2D6; however, the drug does not appear to substantially inhibit CYP 1A2, 2C9, 2C19, 2C8, or 2B6. Dronedarone may potentially inhibit the P-glycoprotein transport system. Dronedarone or its metabolites are weak inhibitors of organic cation transporter (OCT1), organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP1B1, OATP1B3), and organic anion transporter (OAT3) in vitro.

Contraindications

*Permanent atrial fibrillation (patients in whom normal sinus rhythm will not or cannot be restored).

*Symptomatic heart failure with NYHA class IV symptoms or recent decompensation requiring hospitalization.

*Second- or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block or sick sinus syndrome (except in patients with a functioning pacemaker).

*Bradycardia (<50 beats/minute).

*QT interval corrected for rate (QTc) >500 msec or PR interval >280 msec.

*Concomitant use of strong inhibitors of CYP3A (e.g., clarithromycin, cyclosporine, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, ritonavir, voriconazole).

*Concomitant use of erythromycin.

*Concomitant use with drugs or herbal supplements that prolong the QT interval and may increase the risk of torsades de pointes (e.g., class I and III antiarrhythmic agents, phenothiazine antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, certain oral macrolides).

*Liver or lung toxicity related to previous use of amiodarone.

*Severe hepatic impairment.

*Hypersensitivity to dronedarone or any excipients in the formulation.

Adverse reactions

The most common adverse reactions (incidence >=2%) include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, bradycardia, skin issues, and asthenia.

Precautions

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ICD codes

CodeTypeDescription
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
I48.0ICD10CMParoxysmal atrial fibrillation
Prevention of recurrent atrial fibrillation
I48.0ICD10CMParoxysmal atrial fibrillation
I48.1ICD10CMPersistent atrial fibrillation
I48.91ICD10CMUnspecified atrial fibrillation

ICD code information from First Databank (FDB).

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data