Important Safety Information for MULTAQ^®

MULTAQ is also contraindicated in patients:

• With second- or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block or sick sinus syndrome (except when used in conjunction with a functioning pacemaker), bradycardia <50 bpm, QTc Bazett interval ≥500 ms or PR interval >280 ms
• Who are or may become pregnant (Category X) or nursing. MULTAQ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman
• With concomitant use of strong CYP 3A inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, cyclosporine, telithromycin, clarithromycin, nefazodone, ritonavir, or drugs or herbal products that prolong the QT interval and might increase the risk of Torsade de Pointes, such as phenothiazine antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, certain oral macrolide antibiotics, and Class I and III antiarrhythmics
• With liver toxicity related to the previous use of amiodarone
• With severe hepatic impairment

Cardiovascular Death in NYHA Class IV or Decompensated Heart Failure

MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients with NYHA Class IV heart failure or symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization because it doubles the risk of death.

Cardiovascular Death and Heart Failure in Permanent AFib

MULTAQ doubles the risk of cardiovascular death (largely arrhythmic) and heart failure events in patients with permanent AFib. Patients treated with MULTAQ should undergo monitoring of cardiac rhythm no less often than every 3 months. Cardiovert patients who are in AFib (if clinically indicated) or discontinue MULTAQ. MULTAQ offers no benefit in subjects in permanent AFib.

Increased Risk of Stroke in Permanent AFib

In a placebo-controlled study in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, dronedarone was associated with an increased risk of stroke, particularly in the first two weeks of therapy. MULTAQ should only be initiated in patients in sinus rhythm who are receiving appropriate antithrombotic therapy.

New Onset or Worsening Heart Failure

New onset or worsening of heart failure has been reported during treatment with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting. In a placebo-controlled study in patients with permanent AFib, increased rates of heart failure were observed in patients with normal left ventricular function and no history of symptomatic heart failure, as well as those with a history of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction.

Advise patients to consult a physician if they develop signs or symptoms of heart failure, such as weight gain, dependent edema, or increasing shortness of breath. If heart failure develops or worsens and requires hospitalization, discontinue MULTAQ.

Liver Injury

Hepatocellular liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting. Advise patients treated with MULTAQ to report immediately symptoms suggesting hepatic injury (such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, malaise, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, dark urine, or itching). Consider obtaining periodic hepatic serum enzymes, especially during the first 6 months of treatment. It is not known whether routine periodic monitoring of serum enzymes will prevent the development of severe liver injury. If hepatic injury is suspected, promptly discontinue MULTAQ and test serum enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase, as well as serum bilirubin, to establish whether there is liver injury. If liver injury is found, institute appropriate treatment and investigate the probable cause. Do not restart MULTAQ in patients without another explanation for the observed liver injury.

Hypokalemia and Hypomagnesemia with Potassium-Depleting Diuretics

Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia may occur with concomitant administration of potassium-depleting diuretics. Potassium levels should be within the normal range prior to administration of MULTAQ and maintained in the normal range during administration of MULTAQ.

QT Interval Prolongation

MULTAQ induces a moderate (average of about 10 ms but much greater effects have been observed) QTc (Bazett) prolongation. If the QTc Bazett interval is ≥500 ms, discontinue MULTAQ.

Increase in Creatinine

Small increases in creatinine levels (about 0.1 mg/dL) following MULTAQ treatment initiation have been shown to be a result of inhibition of creatinine's tubular secretion. The elevation has a rapid onset, reaches a plateau after 7 days and is reversible after discontinuation. Larger increases in creatinine after MULTAQ initiation have been reported in the postmarketing setting. Some cases also reported increases in blood urea nitrogen. In most cases, these effects appear to be reversible upon drug discontinuation. Monitor renal function periodically.

Women of Childbearing Potential

Premenopausal women who have not undergone a hysterectomy or oophorectomy must use effective contraception while using MULTAQ. Dronedarone caused fetal harm in animal studies at doses equivalent to recommended human doses. Counsel women of childbearing potential regarding appropriate contraceptive choices.

Drug-Drug Interactions

• Treatment with Class I or III antiarrhythmics or drugs that are strong inhibitors of CYP 3A must be stopped before starting MULTAQ (see Contraindications)
• Patients should be instructed to avoid grapefruit juice beverages while taking MULTAQ
• Calcium channel blockers with depressant effects and beta-blockers could increase the bradycardia effects of MULTAQ on conduction
• Increased digoxin levels and gastrointestinal disorders have been observed when MULTAQ was coadministered with digoxin. Digoxin can also potentiate the electrophysiologic effects of MULTAQ (such as decreased AV-node conduction); consider the need for continued digoxin therapy when prescribing MULTAQ. If digoxin treatment is continued, halve the dose of digoxin, monitor serum levels closely, and observe for toxicity
• Postmarketing cases of increased INR with or without bleeding events have been reported in warfarin-treated patients initiated with MULTAQ. Monitor INR after initiating MULTAQ in patients taking warfarin
• Statins: Follow statin label recommendations for use with CYP 3A and P-gP inhibitors such as MULTAQ

Adverse Reactions

In studies, the most common adverse reactions observed with MULTAQ were diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and asthenia.

Indication

MULTAQ is an antiarrhythmic drug indicated to reduce the risk of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation (AFib) in patients in sinus rhythm with a history of paroxysmal or persistent AFib.

Click here for full Prescribing Information, including boxed WARNING.