[Side effects of anti-arrhythmia drugs]

Since there are no antiarrhythmic drugs with selective effect on the removal of pathologic rhythms without influence on the formation of normal stimuli and the conduction system, which are free from cardiac and extracardiac side effects, in the application of an antiarrhythmic drug apart from an indication which is strictly to be established it must equivalently be taken into consideration which systemic and genuine side effects, pharmacokinetic problems and drug interactions must be taken into account. An unavoidable risk (systemic side effects) is to be put up with. Existing contraindications sometimes bring about the renunciation of therapy. Side effects are avoidable, when they are strictly controlled, since they are then recognized in time and lead to the interruption of therapy.