The antiarrhythmic medication known generically as dronedarone is marketed in the United States with the brand name Multaq. Doctors prescribe dronedarone for people who have heart rhythm conditions---arrhythmias---that are severe who also have conditions such as atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation in their medical histories. Dronedarone, the Mayo Clinic reports, reduces the speed of nerve impulses directly in the heart to regulate the beat. The medicine is administered as a pill. There are no reported common serious side effects of the drug.
Weakness
Among the few most common non-serious and temporary side effects of taking dronedarone is bodily weakness. The person taking the medication may experience a decrease in or loss of bodily strength when taking the medication. He may feel unable to perform normal physical activities because of this strength loss. Because this side effect is temporary, he probably will experience it for a few days after beginning treatment with the medicine. He should contact his doctor, however, if the problem continues more than a few days or appears severe.
Diarrhea
Loose stools or diarrhea may occur for many reasons, including illness, change of diet and as a result of side effects from many medications. This is the case for dronedarone. It may make the person ingesting the pills feel cramps in her stomach or abdomen, followed by frequent, urgent trips to the bathroom. Diarrhea typically occurs when not enough fluid is removed from digesting food. Drugs.com states diarrhea as a side effect of dronedarone should be minor and not require medical attention. It should clear itself up in a few days.
Nausea and Pain
Dronedarone also may disrupt the actions of the stomach in those who take it. For example, he may experience stomach pain or stomach upset. This latter condition may cause him to feel nauseous and he may vomit when he first takes dronedarone. These side effects generally are mild and do not need medical aid unless they continue or are severe, Drugs.com reports.
Tiredness
Taking dronedarone can, at the first stage of treatment, cause abnormal tiredness. This can manifest as an unusual need for sleep, or the person taking the drug may feel fatigued, as if she has engaged in strenuous physical activity or work. Again, she should report this to the attending physician if the condition does not clear itself in a few days or becomes severe, according to Drugs.com.
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