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Drug-induced arrhythmias: causes and treatment
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Arrhythmia is a disturbance of heart rhythms, which can manifest itself in an excessively rapid or slow rhythm. With a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), a person feels the heart beating in the chest, with a slow tempo, weakness, dizziness, and possible fainting are usually felt.
[ Causes and signs
This disorder can be caused by various reasons: lifestyle (smoking, alcohol, excessive caffeine consumption, overeating, etc.), heart disease, insect bites, hormonal imbalances (especially in women), frequent stress, nervous tension, in addition, toxic and medicinal drugs can cause arrhythmia.
Drugs that cause arrhythmia:
- cardiac glycosides
- beta blockers
- clonidine
- reserpine
- adrenaline, caffeine, atropine, and also nervous system stimulants (amphetamine)
- medications for the treatment of psychosis or depression, often antiarrhythmic drugs prescribed by a specialist for one type provoke the development of another type of arrhythmia.
There are sinus arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, extrasystole, heart block, and paroxysmal tachycardia.
Cardiac glycosides (strophanthin, digoxin, etc.) in high doses usually accumulate in the body, which leads to a decrease in heart rate. These drugs have a glycoside structure and have a selective cardiotonic effect.
Beta-blockers (atenolol, metoprolol) reduce the heart rate. These drugs block beta-adrenergic receptors and are divided into two groups.
The drugs of the first group (β1-adrenergic receptor blockers) mainly reduce the heart rate, slow the rhythm, and inhibit cardiac conduction).
Drugs from the second group (β1-adrenoreceptors and β2-adrenoreceptors) increase the tone of smooth muscles (uterus during pregnancy, bronchi, arterioles, and contribute to an increase in total peripheral vascular resistance.
Beta blockers are often used for conditions such as cardiac arrhythmia, high blood pressure, and to prevent recurrence of myocardial infarction.
Clonidine, Reserpine are used mainly to treat high blood pressure, can cause a decrease in heart rate.
The drugs Caffeine, Adrenaline, Atropine cause an increase in heart rate.
Treatment of drug-induced arrhythmia
As a rule, arrhythmia occurs due to an overdose of certain medications or due to intolerance to certain medications.
This disorder poses a danger to human life and can lead to acute or chronic heart failure, cardiac arrest (clinical death).
In case of arrhythmia caused by abuse of certain medications, you should stop taking the medications; it is not advisable to take any antiarrhythmic drugs without a doctor’s prescription, as drug interactions are possible.
In some cases, sedatives are prescribed (Persen, Sanosan, Antares), which also reduce nervousness, excitability, and improve sleep.
If arrhythmia is detected, the patient is prescribed an examination for the possible development of coronary heart disease, dysfunction of the heart valves, and heart failure.
Attention!
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Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.