By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo

TheMediTary.Com

Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com

  • Home
  • News
  • Drugs
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Medical Answers
  • About Us
  • Contact
Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo Medical Information, Documents, News - TheMediTary.Com Logo
Search Drugs
  • Drugs
    • Latest Drugs
    • Drugs A-Z
    • Medical Answers
  • News
    • FDA Alerts
    • Medical News
    • Health
    • Consumer Updates
    • Children's Health
  • More TheMediTary.Com
    • About Us
    • Contact
Follow US
Home > Drugs > Treatments > Atrial Fibrillation

Medications for Atrial Fibrillation

Other names: AF; AFib; PAF; Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is a common heart condition that causes an irregular and often rapid heart rate. Having AF increases a person’s risk of having a stroke or developing heart failure.

AF is a type of arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are disturbances in the way the heart beats and are commonly caused by changes to the electrical impulse within the heart. When your heart is healthy, a steady, electrical signal that originates in the Sino Atrial node in the right upper part of your heart keeps your heart at a regular beat, usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute. This is called sinus rhythm.

The electric signal in people with AF is random and chaotic which causes the two top chambers of your heart (the left and right atrium) to quiver and twitch. It becomes difficult for your heart to fill or empty itself of blood when it is quivering so much and out of sync with the two lower chambers (the ventricles), and blood may pool in the heart chambers and start clotting. Clots can dislodge from the heart and travel to vessels leading to the brain, kidneys, eyes, or peripherally in the arms or legs. The clot can block blood and oxygen flow to the brain or other organs.

There are three types of AF:

  • Paroxysmal AF: Episodes of AF come and go, sometimes in relation to exercise or stress. Episodes may last for minutes or hours but no longer than one week
  • Persistent AF: Episodes last for longer than one week
  • Long-standing persistent or permanent AF: AF episode has lasted longer than one year.

What Causes AF

Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes AF; however, they have identified several risk factors that make some people more likely to develop the condition. These include

  • Older age (particularly over 65 years)
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Diabetes
  • Excessive alcohol intake
  • Exercise: Healthy middle-aged males who have been engaged in strenuous endurance training for more than 10 years have the highest risk of developing AF caused by exercise
  • Genetics: AF can sometimes run in families
  • Heart attack
  • Heart disease or damage
  • High blood pressure
  • High thyroid hormone levels or other metabolic imbalance
  • Kidney disease
  • Lung infections (eg, pneumonia)
  • Medications such as adenosine, dobutamine, ondansetron, paclitaxel, and anthracyclines
  • Obesity
  • Sleep apnea
  • Stress.

What are the Symptoms of AF?

Some people with AF have no symptoms and only get a diagnosis after a routine physical examination or an examination for an unrelated reason. Some people are not diagnosed until they have a stroke or mini-stroke.

Other people experience symptoms daily or only mild symptoms once in a while. Symptoms may include:

  • Heart flutters or palpitations
  • feel dizzy, weak or faint
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain, discomfort, or tightness
  • Fatigue
  • Having difficulty exercising.

How is AF Diagnosed?

See your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of AF.

Your doctor will ask about your family history of heart disease and check your heart rhythm, heart rate, and pulse. The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is usually confirmed with an electrocardiogram (ECG), a test that records the heart's electrical activity.

Sometimes a portable ECG called a Holter monitor, may need to be worn at home for 24 hours, if a person's AF is not consistent. Monitors are also available that can be used for longer than 24 hours if needed.
 

How is AF Treated?

Treatment varies depends on the type of AF but may include:

  • Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
  • Antiarrhythmics
  • Beta-blockers
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Digoxin
  • Pacemakers
  • Radiofrequency ablation.

Drugs used to treat Atrial Fibrillation

Name Drug Class Updated
Dronedarone Group III antiarrhythmics 15-Aug-2023
Esmolol Cardioselective beta blockers 14-Aug-2023
Clonidine (transdermal) Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting 14-Aug-2023
Clonidine (injection) Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting 14-Aug-2023
Metoprolol Cardioselective beta blockers 13-Aug-2023
Ibutilide Group III antiarrhythmics 13-Aug-2023
Edoxaban Factor Xa inhibitors 13-Aug-2023
Digoxin (oral/injection) Group V antiarrhythmics 13-Aug-2023
Sotalol Group III antiarrhythmics 12-Aug-2023
Rivaroxaban Factor Xa inhibitors 12-Aug-2023
Propafenone Group I antiarrhythmics 12-Aug-2023
Lanoxin Group V antiarrhythmics 05-Aug-2023
Xarelto starter pack Factor Xa inhibitors 14-Jul-2023
Tambocor Group I antiarrhythmics 14-Jul-2023
Savaysa Factor Xa inhibitors 14-Jul-2023
Rythmol sr Group I antiarrhythmics 14-Jul-2023
Rythmol Group I antiarrhythmics 14-Jul-2023
Multaq Group III antiarrhythmics 13-Jul-2023
Corvert Group III antiarrhythmics 13-Jul-2023
Coreg cr Non-cardioselective beta blockers 13-Jul-2023
Brevibloc Cardioselective beta blockers 13-Jul-2023
Xarelto Factor Xa inhibitors 12-Jul-2023
Inderal Group II antiarrhythmics 10-Jul-2023
Flecainide Group I antiarrhythmics 10-Jul-2023
Diltiazem Calcium channel blocking agents 10-Jul-2023
Digoxin Group V antiarrhythmics 10-Jul-2023
Coreg Non-cardioselective beta blockers 10-Jul-2023
Clonidine Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting 10-Jul-2023
Carvedilol Non-cardioselective beta blockers 10-Jul-2023
Share this Article
Latest News
Medical News

Obesity, unhealthy lifestyles may cause heart to age by 5–45 years

May 08, 2025
Aging: As little as 5 minutes of exercise may keep the brain healthy
Prostate cancer: Simple urine test may help with early detection
Cancer treatment side effects: Exercise may reduce pain, fatigue
Alzheimer's: Exercising in middle age may reduce beta-amyloid in brain...
Heart disease: Just 3 minutes of 'incidental activity' may lower...
Related Drugs
Fidanacogene Elaparvovec
Cerave Anti-Itch
Centrum Adult
Crovalimab
Cyltezo Prefilled Syringe
Zepbound Pen
Mylanta One
Uretron Ds
Medihoney Wound And Burn Dressing
Lidotrode

Categories

  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health

About US

Welcome to TheMediTary.Com

Our website provides reliable and up-to-date information on various medical topics. We empower individuals to take charge of their health by simplifying complex medical jargon and providing practical tips and advice. We prioritize the privacy and confidentiality of our users and welcome feedback to improve our services.

Website use data of FDA and other sources

DMCA.com Protection Status Truste Protection Status Trust Mark Protection Status
HONcode logo We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.
Quick Link
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Sitemap
  • Care Notes
  • Health Guide
  • Professional
Drugs
  • New Drugs
  • Medical Answers
  • Drugs A-Z
  • Drug Classes
  • Drug Dosage
  • Pill Identifier
  • Consumer Infor
  • Side Effects
  • Inactive Ingredients
  • Pregnancy Warnings
  • Patient Tips
  • Treatments
News
  • Latest News
  • FDA Alerts
  • Medical News
  • Health
  • Consumer Updates
  • Children's Health
Find US
  • Medium
  • Google Site
  • Blogspot
  • API
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Scoop.it
  • Substack
  • Wordpress
  • Wix
  • Behance

© 2025 TheMediTary.Com All rights reserved. Operated by