Medicines that can cause changes in heart rate or rhythm
Many prescription and non-prescription medicines can cause a change in your heart rhythm or rate. Medicines that are used to control fast, slow, or irregular heartbeats include:
- Antiarrhythmics, such as digoxin (Lanoxin), disopyramide phosphate (Rythmodan), or procainamide hydrochloride (Procan).
- Beta-blockers, such as propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal) or atenolol (Tenormin).
- Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem), nifedipine (Adalat), or verapamil hydrochloride (Isoptin).
- Diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix) or triamterene (Dyrenium).
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as captopril (Capoten) or quinapril hydrochloride (Accupril).
Medicines that cause changes in your heart rate or rhythm as a side effect of the medicine include:
- Antipsychotics (major tranquilizers), such as phenothiazines (for example, Thorazine).
- Asthma medicines or inhalers, such as theophylline or albuterol.
- Barbiturates, such as pentobarbital or secobarbital.
- Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), triazolam (Halcion), or diazepam (Valium).
- Opioid narcotics, such as morphine or codeine.
- Thyroid medication, such as Synthroid.
- Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil) or doxepin hydrochloride (Sinequan).
Non-prescription medicines that can cause changes in your heart rate or rhythm include:
- Decongestants, such as Sudafed.
- Non-prescription stimulants, such as diet pills, cold remedies, or pills to prevent sleepiness.
Illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines, also can cause changes in your heart rate or rhythm.
If changes in your heart rate or rhythm occur following the start of a new medicine:
- Call the doctor who prescribed the medicine before taking another dose. The medicine may need to be stopped, changed, or the dose adjusted.
- If you are taking a non-prescription medicine, stop taking the medicine. If you feel you need to continue taking the medicine, call your doctor to discuss it.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: June 22, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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