Multaq Drug Information

Generic name: DRONEDARONE

Antiarrhythmic [EPC]

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Uses of Multaq

® is indicated to reduce the risk of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation in patients in sinus rhythm with a history of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) . MULTAQ is an antiarrhythmic drug indicated to reduce the risk of hospitalization for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients in sinus rhythm with a history of paroxysmal or persistent AF.

Dosage & Administration of Multaq

The recommended dosage of MULTAQ is 400 mg twice daily in adults. MULTAQ should be taken as one tablet with the morning meal and one tablet with the evening meal. Treatment with Class I or III antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone, flecainide, propafenone, quinidine, disopyramide, dofetilide, sotalol) or drugs that are strong inhibitors of CYP3A (e.g., ketoconazole) must be stopped before starting MULTAQ . Verify that females of reproductive potential are not pregnant prior to initiating MULTAQ. One tablet of 400 mg twice a day with morning and evening meals

Side Effects of Multaq

The following safety concerns are described elsewhere in the label:
New or worsening heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ]
Liver Injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ]
Pulmonary toxicity [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ]
Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia with potassium-depleting diuretics [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ]
QT prolongation [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Most common adverse reactions (≥2%) are diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, dyspepsia, bradycardia, skin issues (rashes, pruritus, eczema, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic), and asthenia ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact sanofi-aventis U.S. LLC at 1-800-633-1610 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience The safety evaluation of dronedarone 400 mg twice daily in patients with AF or AFL is based on 5 placebo-controlled studies, ATHENA, EURIDIS, ADONIS, ERATO and DAFNE. In these studies, a total of 6285 patients were randomized and treated, 3282 patients with MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily, and 2875 with placebo. The mean exposure across studies was 12 months. In ATHENA, the maximum follow-up was 30 months. In clinical trials, premature discontinuation because of adverse reactions occurred in 11.8% of the dronedarone-treated patients and in 7.7% of the placebo-treated group. The most common reasons for discontinuation of therapy with MULTAQ were gastrointestinal disorders (3.2% vs 1.8% in the placebo group) and QT prolongation (1.5% vs 0.5% in the placebo group). The most frequent adverse reactions observed with MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily in the 5 studies were diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and asthenia. Table 1 displays adverse reactions more common with dronedarone 400 mg twice daily than with placebo in AF or AFL patients, presented by system organ class and by decreasing order of frequency. Adverse laboratory and ECG effects are presented separately in Table 2. Table 1: Adverse Drug Reactions that Occurred in at Least 1% of Patients and were More Frequent than Placebo Placebo Dronedarone 400 mg twice daily (N=2875) (N=3282) Gastrointestinal Diarrhea 6% 9% Nausea 3% 5% Abdominal pain 3% 4% Vomiting 1% 2% Dyspeptic signs and symptoms 1% 2% General Asthenic conditions 5% 7% Cardiac Bradycardia 1% 3% Skin and subcutaneous tissue Including rashes (generalized, macular, maculo-papular, erythematous), pruritus, eczema, dermatitis, dermatitis allergic 3% 5% Photosensitivity reaction and dysgeusia have also been reported at an incidence less than 1% in patients treated with MULTAQ. The following laboratory data/ECG parameters were reported with MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily. Table 2: Laboratory Data/ECG Parameters Not Necessarily Reported as Adverse Events Placebo MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily (N=2875) (N=3282) Early increases in creatinine ≥10% 21% 51% (N=2237) (N=2701) QTc prolonged 19% 28% Assessment of demographic factors such as gender or age on the incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events did not suggest an excess of adverse events in any particular subgroup. In randomized clinical trials of patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation, one case of torsade de pointes was reported in patients treated with MULTAQ (2301 patients) versus no cases of torsade de pointes in patients treated with placebo (2327) in the ATHENA study. No cases of torsade de pointes were reported in patients treated with MULTAQ (828 patients) or placebo (409 patients) in the EURIDIS and ADONIS studies [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of MULTAQ. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of an unknown size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Cardiac: New or worsening heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Atrial flutter with 1:1 atrioventricular conduction has been reported very rarely. Hepatic: Liver injury [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Respiratory: Interstitial lung disease including pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Immune: Anaphylactic reactions including angioedema Vascular: Vasculitis, including leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Warnings & Cautions for Multaq

Determine cardiac rhythm at least once every 3 months. If AF is detected discontinue MULTAQ or cardiovert. ( 5.2 )
Ensure appropriate antithrombotic therapy prior to and throughout MULTAQ use. ( 5.3 )
Liver injury: If hepatic injury is suspected, discontinue MULTAQ. ( 5.5 )
If pulmonary toxicity is confirmed, discontinue treatment. ( 5.6 )
Hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia: Maintain potassium and magnesium levels within the normal range. ( 5.7 )
Renal impairment: Monitor renal function periodically. ( 5.9 )
Embryofetal Toxicity: Based on animal data, MULTAQ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise females of reproductive potential of the potential risk to a fetus and to use effective contraception while using MULTAQ. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Cardiovascular Death in NYHA Class IV or Decompensated Heart Failure MULTAQ is contraindicated in patients with NYHA Class IV heart failure or symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization because it doubles the risk of death. 5.2 Cardiovascular Death and Heart Failure in Permanent AF MULTAQ doubles the risk of cardiovascular death (largely arrhythmic) and heart failure events in patients with permanent AF. Patients treated with dronedarone should undergo monitoring of cardiac rhythm no less often than every 3 months. Cardiovert patients who are in atrial fibrillation (if clinically indicated) or discontinue MULTAQ. MULTAQ offers no benefit in subjects in permanent AF. 5.3 Increased Risk of Stroke in Permanent AF In a placebo-controlled study in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation, dronedarone was associated with an increased risk of stroke, particularly in the first two weeks of therapy [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] . MULTAQ should only be initiated in patients in sinus rhythm who are receiving appropriate antithrombotic therapy [see Drug Interactions (7.3) ] . 5.4 New Onset or Worsening Heart Failure New onset or worsening of heart failure has been reported during treatment with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting. In a placebo-controlled study in patients with permanent AF increased rates of heart failure were observed in patients with normal left ventricular function and no history of symptomatic heart failure, as well as those with a history of heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction. Advise patients to consult a physician if they develop signs or symptoms of heart failure, such as weight gain, dependent edema, or increasing shortness of breath. If heart failure develops or worsens and requires hospitalization, discontinue MULTAQ. 5.5 Liver Injury Hepatocellular liver injury, including acute liver failure requiring transplant, has been reported in patients treated with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting. Advise patients treated with MULTAQ to report immediately symptoms suggesting hepatic injury (such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever, malaise, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, dark urine, or itching). Consider obtaining periodic hepatic serum enzymes, especially during the first 6 months of treatment, but it is not known whether routine periodic monitoring of serum enzymes will prevent the development of severe liver injury. If hepatic injury is suspected, promptly discontinue MULTAQ and test serum enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase, as well as serum bilirubin, to establish whether there is liver injury. If liver injury is found, institute appropriate treatment and investigate the probable cause. Do not restart MULTAQ in patients without another explanation for the observed liver injury. 5.6 Pulmonary Toxicity Cases of interstitial lung disease including pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis have been reported in patients treated with MULTAQ in the postmarketing setting [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] . Onset of dyspnea or non-productive cough may be related to pulmonary toxicity and patients should be carefully evaluated clinically. If pulmonary toxicity is confirmed, MULTAQ should be discontinued. 5.7 Hypokalemia and Hypomagnesemia with Potassium-Depleting Diuretics Hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia may occur with concomitant administration of potassium-depleting diuretics. Potassium levels should be within the normal range prior to administration of MULTAQ and maintained in the normal range during administration of MULTAQ. 5.8 QT Interval Prolongation MULTAQ is associated with concentration-dependent QTcF interval prolongation (estimated QTcF increase for 400 mg BID with food is 15 ms) [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.2) ] . If the QTc interval is >500 ms, discontinue MULTAQ [see Contraindications (4) ] . 5.9 Renal Impairment and Failure Marked increase in serum creatinine, pre-renal azotemia and acute renal failure, often in the setting of heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] or hypovolemia, have been reported in patients taking MULTAQ. In most cases, these effects appear to be reversible upon drug discontinuation and with appropriate medical treatment. Monitor renal function periodically. Small increases in creatinine levels (about 0.1 mg/dL) following dronedarone treatment initiation have been shown to be a result of inhibition of creatinine's tubular secretion. The elevation has a rapid onset, reaches a plateau after 7 days and is reversible after discontinuation. 5.10 Embryofetal Toxicity Based on animal data, MULTAQ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Dronedarone caused multiple visceral and skeletal malformations in animal reproduction studies when pregnant rats and rabbits were administered dronedarone at doses equivalent to recommended human doses. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to the fetus. Verify that females of reproductive potential are not pregnant prior to initiating MULTAQ. Advise females of reproductive potential to use effective contraception during treatment with MULTAQ and for 5 days (about 6 half-lives) after the final dose [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1 , 8.3) ] .

Drug Interactions with Multaq

Dronedarone is metabolized by CYP3A and is a moderate inhibitor of CYP3A and CYP2D6 and has potentially important pharmacodynamic interactions ( 7 )
Class I or III antiarrhythmics: Contraindicated. ( 4 , 7.1 )
Digoxin: Consider discontinuation or halve dose of digoxin before treatment and monitor digoxin levels. ( 7.1 , 7.3 )
Calcium channel blockers (CCB): Initiate CCB with low dose and increase after ECG verification of tolerability. ( 7.1 , 7.2 , 7.3 )
Beta-blockers: May provoke excessive bradycardia. Initiate with low dose and increase after ECG verification of tolerability. ( 7.1 , 7.3 )
CYP3A inducers: Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.2 )
Grapefruit juice: Avoid concomitant use. ( 7.2 )
Statins: Avoid simvastatin doses greater than 10 mg daily. Follow label recommendations for concomitant use of other statins with a CYP3A and P-gp inhibitor like dronedarone. ( 7.3 )
CYP3A substrates with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., sirolimus and tacrolimus): Monitor and adjust dosage of concomitant drug as needed when used with MULTAQ. ( 7.3 )
Warfarin: Monitor INR after initiating dronedarone in patients taking warfarin. ( 7.3 ) 7.1 Pharmacodynamic Interactions Drugs Prolonging the QT Interval (Inducing Torsade de Pointes) Coadministration of drugs prolonging the QT interval (such as certain phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, certain macrolide antibiotics, and Class I and III antiarrhythmics) is contraindicated because of the potential risk of torsade de pointes–type ventricular tachycardia [see Contraindications (4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Digoxin In the ANDROMEDA (patients with recently decompensated heart failure) and PALLAS (patients with permanent AF) trials baseline use of digoxin was associated with an increased risk of arrhythmic or sudden death in dronedarone-treated patients compared to placebo. In patients not taking digoxin, no difference in risk of sudden death was observed in the dronedarone versus placebo groups [see Clinical Studies (14.3) ] . Digoxin can potentiate the electrophysiologic effects of dronedarone (such as decreased AV-node conduction). Dronedarone increases exposure to digoxin [see Drug Interactions (7.3) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Consider discontinuing digoxin. If digoxin treatment is continued, halve the dose of digoxin, monitor serum levels closely, and observe for toxicity . Calcium Channel Blockers Calcium channel blockers with depressant effects on the sinus and AV nodes could potentiate dronedarone's effects on conduction. Give a low dose of calcium channel blockers initially and increase only after ECG verification of good tolerability [see Drug Interactions (7.3) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Beta-Blockers In clinical trials, bradycardia was more frequently observed when dronedarone was given in combination with beta-blockers. Give a low dose of beta-blockers initially, and increase only after ECG verification of good tolerability [see Drug Interactions (7.3) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.2 Effects of Other Drugs on Dronedarone Ketoconazole and Other Potent CYP3A Inhibitors Concomitant use of ketoconazole as well as other potent CYP3A inhibitors such as itraconazole, voriconazole, ritonavir, clarithromycin, and nefazodone is contraindicated because exposure to dronedarone is significantly increased [see Contraindications (4) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Grapefruit Juice Patients should avoid grapefruit juice beverages while taking MULTAQ because exposure to dronedarone is significantly increased [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Rifampin and Other CYP3A Inducers Avoid rifampin or other CYP3A inducers such as phenobarbital, carbamazepine, phenytoin, and St. John's wort because they decrease exposure to dronedarone significantly [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Calcium Channel Blockers Verapamil and diltiazem are moderate CYP3A inhibitors and increase dronedarone exposure. Give a low dose of calcium channel blockers initially and increase only after ECG verification of good tolerability [see Drug Interactions (7.3) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.3 Effects of Dronedarone on Other Drugs Simvastatin Dronedarone increased simvastatin/simvastatin acid exposure. Avoid doses greater than 10 mg once daily of simvastatin [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Other Statins Because of multiple mechanisms of interaction with statins (CYPs and transporters), follow statin label recommendations for use with CYP3A and P-gp inhibitors such as dronedarone. Calcium Channel Blockers Dronedarone increased the exposure of calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem or nifedipine). Give a low dose of calcium channel blockers initially and increase only after ECG verification of good tolerability [see Drug Interactions (7.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Sirolimus, Tacrolimus, and Other CYP3A Substrates with Narrow Therapeutic Range Dronedarone can increase plasma concentrations of tacrolimus, sirolimus, and other CYP3A substrates with a narrow therapeutic range when given orally. Monitor plasma concentrations and adjust dosage appropriately. Beta-Blockers and Other CYP2D6 Substrates Dronedarone increased the exposure of propranolol and metoprolol. Give low doses of beta-blockers initially, and increase only after ECG verification of good tolerability. Other CYP2D6 substrates, including other beta-blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may have increased exposure upon coadministration with dronedarone [see Drug Interactions (7.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . P-glycoprotein Substrates Digoxin Dronedarone increased digoxin exposure by inhibiting the P-gp transporter. Consider discontinuing digoxin. If digoxin treatment is continued, halve the dose of digoxin, monitor serum levels closely, and observe for toxicity [see Drug Interactions (7.1) , Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Dabigatran Dronedarone increases dabigatran plasma exposures by inhibiting the P-gp transporter [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . In patients with moderate renal impairment (CrCL 30–50 mL/min), reduce the dose of dabigatran to 75 mg twice daily when concomitantly administered with dronedarone. In patients with severe renal impairment (CrCL 15–30 mL/min), concomitant use of dronedarone with dabigatran should be avoided. Warfarin When coadministered with dronedarone exposure to S-warfarin was slightly higher than when warfarin was administered alone. There were no clinically significant increases in INR [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . More patients experienced clinically significant INR elevations (≥5) usually within 1 week after starting dronedarone versus placebo in patients taking oral anticoagulants in ATHENA. However, no excess risk of bleeding was observed in the dronedarone group. Postmarketing cases of increased INR with or without bleeding events have been reported in warfarin-treated patients initiated on dronedarone. Monitor INR after initiating dronedarone in patients taking warfarin.

Pregnancy Safety for Multaq

Pregnancy Risk Summary MULTAQ may cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. In animal studies, dronedarone administered to pregnant rats and rabbits during the period of organogenesis caused multiple visceral (rats) and skeletal malformations (rats and rabbits) when administered at doses equivalent to or lower than the maximum recommended human dose (MRHD) (see Data ). There are no available data on dronedarone use in pregnant women to evaluate for a drug-associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriage or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Advise pregnant women of the potential risk to a fetus.

The background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively.

Data Animal data When pregnant rats in embryofetal development studies received dronedarone at oral doses greater than or equal to the MRHD (on a mg/m 2 basis) during organogenesis (gestational days 6 to 15) fetuses had increased rates of external, visceral and skeletal malformations (cranioschisis, cleft palate, incomplete evagination of pineal body, brachygnathia, partially fused carotid arteries, truncus arteriosus, abnormal lobation of the liver, partially duplicated inferior vena cava, brachydactyly, ectrodactyly, syndactyly, and anterior and/or posterior club feet). When pregnant rabbits in embryofetal development studies received dronedarone, at a dose approximately half the MRHD (on a mg/m 2 basis) during organogenesis (gestational days 6 to 18), fetuses had an increased rate of skeletal abnormalities (anomalous ribcage and vertebrae, pelvic asymmetry) at doses ≥20 mg/kg (the lowest dose tested and approximately half the MRHD on a mg/m 2 basis). Actual animal doses: rat (≥80 mg/kg/day); rabbit (≥20 mg/kg)

Pediatric Use of Multaq

Pediatric Use Safety and efficacy in children below the age of 18 years have not been established.

Contraindications for Multaq

is contraindicated in patients with:
Permanent atrial fibrillation (patients in whom normal sinus rhythm will not or cannot be restored) [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]
Symptomatic heart failure with recent decompensation requiring hospitalization or NYHA Class IV symptoms [see Boxed Warning , Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]
Second or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, or sick sinus syndrome (except when used in conjunction with a functioning pacemaker)
Bradycardia <50 bpm
Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, cyclosporine, telithromycin, clarithromycin, nefazodone, and ritonavir [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ]
Concomitant use of erythromycin [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]
Concomitant use of drugs or herbal products that prolong the QT interval and might increase the risk of torsade de pointes, such as phenothiazine antipsychotics, tricyclic antidepressants, certain oral macrolide antibiotics, and Class I and III antiarrhythmics
Liver or lung toxicity related to the previous use of amiodarone
QTc interval >500 ms or PR interval >280 ms
Severe hepatic impairment
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients
Permanent AF (patients in whom normal sinus rhythm will not or cannot be restored) ( Boxed Warning , 4 )
Recently decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization or Class IV heart failure ( Boxed Warning , 4 )
Second or third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block or sick sinus syndrome (except when used in conjunction with a functioning pacemaker) ( 4 )
Bradycardia <50 bpm ( 4 )
Concomitant use of a strong CYP3A inhibitor ( 4 )
Concomitant use of erythromycin ( 4 )
Concomitant use of drugs or herbal products that prolong the QT interval and may induce torsade de pointes ( 4 )
Liver or lung toxicity related to the previous use of amiodarone ( 4 )
QTc interval >500 ms or PR interval >280 ms ( 4 )
Severe hepatic impairment ( 4 )
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients ( 4 )

Overdosage Information for Multaq

In the event of overdosage, monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm and blood pressure. Treatment should be supportive and based on symptoms. It is not known whether dronedarone or its metabolites can be removed by dialysis (hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or hemofiltration). There is no specific antidote available.

Clinical Studies of Multaq

14.1 ATHENA ATHENA was a multicenter, multinational, double blind, and randomized placebo-controlled study of dronedarone in 4628 patients with a recent history of AF/AFL who were in sinus rhythm or who were to be converted to sinus rhythm. The objective of the study was to determine whether dronedarone could delay death from any cause or hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons. Initially patients were to be ≥70 years old, or <70 years old with at least one risk factor (including hypertension, diabetes, prior cerebrovascular accident, left atrial diameter ≥50 mm or LVEF <0.40). The inclusion criteria were later changed such that patients were to be ≥75 years old, or ≥70 years old with at least one risk factor. Patients had to have both AF/AFL and sinus rhythm documented within the previous 6 months. Patients could have been in AF/AFL or in sinus rhythm at the time of randomization, but patients not in sinus rhythm were expected to be either electrically or chemically converted to normal sinus rhythm after anticoagulation. Subjects were randomized and treated for up to 30 months (median follow-up: 22 months) with either MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily (2301 patients) or placebo (2327 patients), in addition to conventional therapy for cardiovascular diseases that included beta-blockers (71%), ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (69%), digoxin (14%), calcium antagonists (14%), statins (39%), oral anticoagulants (60%), aspirin (44%), other chronic antiplatelet therapy (6%) and diuretics (54%). The primary endpoint of the study was the time to first hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons or death from any cause. Time to death from any cause, time to first hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons, and time to cardiovascular death and time to all causes of death were also explored. Patients ranged in age from 23 to 97 years; 42% were 75 years old or older. Forty-seven percent (47%) of patients were female and a majority was Caucasian (89%). Seventy-one percent (71%) of those enrolled had no history of heart failure. The median ejection fraction was 60%. Twenty-nine percent (29%) of patients had heart failure, mostly NYHA class II (17%). The majority had hypertension (86%) and structural heart disease (60%). Results are shown in Table 3. MULTAQ reduced the combined endpoint of cardiovascular hospitalization or death from any cause by 24.2% when compared to placebo. This difference was entirely attributable to its effect on cardiovascular hospitalization, principally hospitalization related to AF. Other endpoints, death from any cause and first hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons, are shown in Table 3. Secondary endpoints count all first events of a particular type, whether or not they were preceded by a different type of event. Table 3: Incidence of Endpoint Events Placebo MULTAQ 400 mg BID (N=2327) (N=2301) HR 95% CI p-Value Primary endpoint Cardiovascular hospitalization or death from any cause 913 (39.2%) 727 (31.6%) 0.76 [0.68–0.83] <0.0001 Components of the endpoint (as first event)
Cardiovascular hospitalization 856 (36.8%) 669 (29.1%)
Death from any cause 57 (2.4%) 58 (2.5%) Secondary endpoints (any time in study)
Death from any cause 135 (5.8%) 115 (5.0%) 0.86 [0.67–1.11] 0.24
Cardiovascular hospitalization 856 (36.8%) 669 (29.1%) 0.74 [0.67–0.82] <0.0001 Components of the cardiovascular hospitalization endpoint (as first event)
AF and other supraventricular rhythm disorders 456 (19.6%) 292 (12.7%) 0.61 [0.53–0.71] <0.0001
Other 400 (17.2%) 377 (16.4%) 0.89 [0.77–1.03] 0.11 The Kaplan-Meier cumulative incidence curves showing the time to first event are displayed in Figure 3. The event curves separated early and continued to diverge over the 30-month follow-up period. Figure 3: Kaplan-Meier Cumulative Incidence Curves from Randomization to First Cardiovascular Hospitalization or Death from Any Cause Reasons for hospitalization included major bleeding (1% in both groups), syncope (1% in both groups), and ventricular arrhythmia (<1% in both groups). The reduction in cardiovascular hospitalization or death from any cause was generally consistent in all subgroups based on baseline characteristics or medications (ACE inhibitors or ARBs; beta-blockers, digoxin, statins, calcium channel blockers, diuretics) (see Figure 4 ). Figure 4: Relative Risk (MULTAQ vs Placebo) Estimates with 95% Confidence Intervals According to Selected Baseline Characteristics: First Cardiovascular Hospitalization or Death from Any Cause (a) Determined from Cox regression model (b) P-value of interaction between baseline characteristics and treatment based on Cox regression model (c) Calcium antagonists with heart rate lowering effects restricted to diltiazem, verapamil and bepridil Figure 3 Figure 4 14.2 EURIDIS and ADONIS In EURIDIS and ADONIS, a total of 1237 patients in sinus rhythm with a prior episode of AF or AFL were randomized in an outpatient setting and treated with either MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily (n=828) or placebo (n=409) on top of conventional therapies (including oral anticoagulants, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs, chronic antiplatelet agents, diuretics, statins, digoxin, and calcium channel blockers). Patients had at least one ECG-documented AF/AFL episode during the 3 months prior to study entry but were in sinus rhythm for at least one hour. Patients ranged in age from 20 to 88 years, with the majority being Caucasian (97%), male (70%) patients. The most common comorbidities were hypertension (56.8%) and structural heart disease (41.5%), including coronary heart disease (21.8%). Patients were followed for 12 months. In the pooled data from EURIDIS and ADONIS as well as in the individual trials, dronedarone delayed the time to first recurrence of AF/AFL (primary endpoint), lowering the risk of first AF/AFL recurrence during the 12-month study period by about 25%, with an absolute difference in recurrence rate of about 11% at 12 months. 14.3 ANDROMEDA Patients recently hospitalized with symptomatic heart failure and severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction (wall motion index ≤1.2) were randomized to either MULTAQ 400 mg twice daily or matching placebo, with a primary composite end point of all-cause mortality or hospitalization for heart failure. Patients enrolled in ANDROMEDA were predominantly NYHA Class II (40%) and III (57%), and only 25% had AF at randomization. After enrollment of 627 patients and a median follow-up of 63 days, the trial was terminated because of excess mortality in the dronedarone group. Twenty-five (25) patients in the dronedarone group died versus 12 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 2.13; 95% CI: 1.07 to 4.25). The main reason for death was worsening heart failure. Baseline digoxin therapy was reported in 6/16 dronedarone patients versus 1/16 placebo patients who died of arrhythmia. In patients without baseline use of digoxin, no excess risk of arrhythmic death was observed in the dronedarone versus placebo groups. There were also excess hospitalizations for cardiovascular reasons in the dronedarone group (71 vs 51 for placebo) [see Boxed Warning , Contraindications (4) ] . 14.4 PALLAS Patients with permanent AF (AF documented in 2 weeks prior to randomization and at least 6 months prior to randomization in whom cardioversion had failed or was not planned) and additional risk factors for thromboembolism (coronary artery disease, prior stroke or TIA, symptomatic heart failure, LVEF <40%, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, or age >75 with hypertension and diabetes) were randomized to dronedarone 400 mg twice daily or placebo. After enrollment of 3236 patients (placebo=1617 and dronedarone=1619) and a median follow up of 3.7 months for placebo and 3.9 for dronedarone, the study was terminated because of a significant increase in:
Mortality: 25 dronedarone versus 13 placebo (HR, 1.94; CI: 0.99 to 3.79). The majority of deaths in the dronedarone group were classified as arrhythmic/sudden deaths (HR, 3.26; CI: 1.06 to 10.0). Baseline digoxin therapy was reported in 11/13 dronedarone patients who died of arrhythmia. None of the arrhythmic deaths on placebo (4) reported use of digoxin. In patients without baseline use of digoxin, no excess risk of arrhythmic death was observed in the dronedarone versus placebo groups.
Stroke: 23 dronedarone versus 10 placebo (HR, 2.32; CI: 1.11 to 4.88). The increased risk of stroke observed with dronedarone was observed in the first two weeks of therapy (10 dronedarone vs 1 placebo), most of the subjects treated with dronedarone did not have an INR of 2.0 to 3.0 [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] .
Hospitalizations for heart failure in the dronedarone group: 43 dronedarone versus 24 placebo (HR, 1.81; CI: 1.10 to 2.99).

Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.

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