Arrhythmias Treatments

Amiodarone HCl injection is indicated for initiation of treatment and prophylaxis of frequently recurring ventricular fibrillation and hemodynamically unstable ventricular tachycardia in patients refractory to other therapy. Amiodarone HCl injection also can be used to treat patients with VT/VF for whom oral amiodarone is indicated, but who are unable to take oral medication. During or after treatment with amiodarone HCl injection, patients may be transferred to oral amiodarone therapy. Amiodarone HCl injection should be used for acute treatment until the patient’s ventricular arrhythmias are stabilized. Most patients will require this therapy for 48 to 96 hours, but amiodarone HCl injection may be safely administered for longer periods if necessary.

Trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. This fixed combination drug is not indicated for the initial therapy of hypertension. In using trandolapril and verapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets, consideration should be given to the fact that an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, has caused agranulocytosis, particularly in patients with renal impairment or collagen vascular disease, and that available data are insufficient to show that trandolapril does not have similar risk.

Betapace/Betapace AF is an antiarrhythmic indicated for: the treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

In patients without structural heart disease, Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP are indicated for the prevention of: paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardias (PSVT), including atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia, atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia and other supraventricular tachycardias of unspecified mechanism associated with disabling symptoms, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF) associated with disabling symptoms Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP are also indicated for the prevention of:, documented ventricular arrhythmias, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia ( sustained VT), that in the judgment of the physician are life-threatening. Use of Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP for the treatment of sustained VT, like other antiarrhythmics, should be initiated in the hospital. The use of Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP is not recommended in patients with less severe ventricular arrhythmias even if the patients are symptomatic. Because of the proarrhythmic effects of Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP, its use should be reserved for patients in whom, in the opinion of the physician, the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks. Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP should not be used in patients with recent myocardial infarction. (See Boxed WARNINGS ). Use of Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP in chronic atrial fibrillation has not been adequately studied and is not recommended. (See Boxed WARNINGS ). As is the case for other antiarrhythmic agents, there is no evidence from controlled trials that the use of Flecainide Acetate Tablets USP favorably affects survival or the incidence of sudden death.

Procainamide hydrochloride injection is indicated for the treatment of documented ventricular arrhythmias, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia, that, in the judgement of the physician, are life-threatening. Because of the proarrhythmic effects of procainamide, its use with lesser arrhythmias is generally not recommended. Treatment of patients with asymptomatic ventricular premature contractions should be avoided. Initiation of procainamide treatment, as with other antiarrhythmic agents used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias, should be carried out in the hospital. Antiarrhythmic drugs have not been shown to enhance survival in patients with ventricular arrhythmias. Because procainamide has the potential to produce serious hematological disorders.