[Drug-induced arrhythmias].
Arrhythmias could be induced or aggravated by a variety of drugs which include cardiotonic drugs (digitalis, catecholamines, antiarrhythmics), psychiatric drugs (phenothiazines, antidepressants), and potassium losing diuretics. Among these, drugs which would lengthen QT interval and thereby potentially leading to induction of torsade de pointes are clinically important. There exist some predisposing factors which could potentiate proarrhythmic effect of drugs. They include age, congestive heart failure, renal or hepatic dysfunction, electrolyte disturbance (hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia) and previous history of proarrhythmia. It should be, therefore, very cautious when drugs with potentially proarrhythmic effect are given to subjects with predisposing factor(s). Antihistamines, antibiotics or other non-cardiotonic drugs could induce, although rarely, torsade de pointes. Therefore, even a general practitioner should be aware of the proarrhythmic effect of non-cardiotonic drugs.
Inoue
H
H
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University.
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000009:adverse effects; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides / Q000009:adverse effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D002395:Catecholamines; D004071:Digitalis Glycosides; D004232:Diuretics; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs