Multaq Heart Risks

Multaq, a drug designed to treat heart problems, may actually be causing them.  Multaq is approved to treat paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (intermittent), persistent atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter.  Clinical trials involving more than 3,000 patients investigating uses for more serious heart conditions were halted since the drug may actually have cause serious cardiovascular events.  The study was halted when the drug doubled the risk of death, stroke, and heart failure hospitalization in heart patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

Sanofi, the manufacturer of Maltaq, issued a press release addressing the Multaq heart risks and that they were stopping clinical trials testing Multaq’s effectiveness in treating patients with permanent abnormal heart rhythms (atrial fibrillation). Multaq was approved in July 2009 to treat patients who had abnormal heart rhythms in the last six months.  By 2011 at least 492,000 Multaq prescriptions had been filled.

The FDA has reported signals of possible risk from Multaq several times over the last two years:

• Early 2010: The FDA warned of possible signals of congestive heart failure.
• On Feb. 22, 2011, the FDA revised the warning section of the Multaq label to note cases of worsening heart failure in some patients taking the drug.
• Second quarter 2010: The FDA warned of possible signals linking Multaq to a form of heart arrhythmia called torsade de pointes.
• Third quarter 2010: The FDA warned of possible signals that Multaq interacted with warfarin to increase warfarin's anti-clotting effect. On March 21, 2011, the FDA changed the drug-interactions section of the Multaq label to reflect this possibility.
• In the last three months of 2010, there were possible signals linking Multaq to liver failure. On Feb. 11, 2011, FDA changed the warnings section of the Multaq label to note that the drug should be stopped if liver injury is suspected.

More Info About Multaq

• December 19, 2011: FDA Orders Ischemic Event Warning for Multaq Label, medpagetoday.com
• September 22, 2011: EMA recommends restricting use of dronedarone, theheart.org

If you experienced Multaq heart problems, it may be important to contact an attorney who can help you protect your potential legal claim. If you would like more information, or would just like to talk with a lawyer experienced in this litigation, please call us at 800-755-0098 for a free consultation or click below to fill out a free case review form. Zimmerman Reed is experienced in handling defective drug cases and we welcome any questions you may have.